AFC Wimbledon had to settle for a point when a cruel deflection did for Dons keeper James Shea early in the second half.
Dons had taken a lead thanks to the ever proficient Lyle Taylor after just six minutes - and then decent chances for both sides came and went without anyone really forging a match-winning moment.
A low corner was gathered by the Don with 23 goals to his credit last term and Taylor turned and fired low into the far corner for his third of this campaign.
A moribund first half largely got played out in the middle third, but there was a yellow card for Town's Jim O'Brien industrial challenge on Dean Parrett.
Paul Robinson then sustained yet another head injury, but the stalwart defender got patched up to resume his place in the heart of defence.
Dons were out of the traps like greyhounds after the break - but amazingly it was the visitors who levelled against the run of play.
A deflected shot from Ian Black that wrong-footed keeper Shea all hands down was cruel fortune just a minute into the second half.
With the wind in their sails, Shaun Whalley's shot was headed for the top corner before Shea brilliantly tipped over.
In a case of anything you can do, opposite number Jayson Leutwiler denied Dominic Poleon at the back post with a terrific clawing save to maintain parity.
Ivan Toney's rash challenge on Shea with eight minutes to go saw the Shrews forward earn a second yellow and the long walk.
He gave the Kingsmeadow tunnel fence and the door a good belt as he went - but Dons failed to kick a way to the winner.
