Prospective owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus watched on as Sunderland's unbeaten away run came to end at the hands of Shrewsbury Town.

The Black Cats were good value for their lead in the opening 45 minutes but a second-half collapse saw them squander an opportunity to move back into the play-offs.

Here are some of the key talking points from Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Jordan Willis' injury

The Black Cats were dealt a cruel blow inside two minutes when Jordan Willis slipped and went down clutching his knee.

The centre-back has been impressive since recovering from an injury that kept him out for large parts of the season.

But the 26-year-old's injury problems showed no sign of letting up as he clutched his knee at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

It's unclear exactly what happened but the Sunderland defender had to take on some oxygen as he was removed from the field of play on a stretcher.

The defender has struggled with bouts of patella tendonitis in his knee that can flare up at any given moment. It's unclear at this stage whether it was in fact that flaring up again or something more serious.

Remi Matthews howlers

The Black Cats number two once again cost Sunderland points. His howler for the first goal was inexcusable. He failed to connect with Donald Love's cross as he tried to punch it, the ball was flicked on by Curtis Main and Ethan Ebanks-Landell was left with an open goal.

There was nothing he could've done with the Shrews winner, but it should have been three.

Ollie Norburn's free-kick seemed easy enough to gather down low for the Black Cats stopper but it somehow ended up in the back of the net.

Fortunately for Matthews the assistant's flag spared his blushes but it was a massive let off for Lee Johnson's side.

A goalkeeper may not have been the priority for Johnson in the short term, but performances like that will certainly do Matthews no favours who has looked nervous all season.

Sometimes it's too forced

There are times where Sunderland look a class above their opposition, albeit very briefly.

Consistency is something that's becoming a bit of a broken record on Wearside this season - but that's why players are at this level.

There were too many occasions where Sunderland looked to force openings and clip hopeless balls down into the channel for their forwards to chase.

Jordan Jones and Aiden McGeady were never really in the game against the Shrews. Instead of coming out and attempting maintain possession, the Black Cats clipped poor balls down the flanks towards Wyke and O'Brien in the hope that they'd get something out of them.

In short, they didn't.

It's easier said than done but they need to improve their composure in their build-up play and especially in the final third.

Their best chances came from set pieces, barring one or two good crosses from Max Power - they struggled to create chances from open play yet again.

Louis-Dreyfus in attendance

Prospective owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was in attendance as the Black Cats took on Shrewsbury Town this evening.

It's sparked widespread debate online regarding the completion of his takeover.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus watches from the stand

There's reportedly been a minor hold-up in proceedings with the EFL waiting for his partners to provide their proof of funding for the next two years.

But, his appearance at the Montgomery Water Meadows stadium this evening is further proof that the deal could be reaching a climax.