Shrewsbury Town 2 - 0 Rochdale

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Rohdale manager Keith Hill

Rochdale’s poor away form continued as they were beaten by lowly Shrewsbury at a very blustery Greenhous Meadow. Shaun Whalley’s low strike after a mistake by Jim McNulty set the hosts on their way with skipper Nathaniel Knight-Percival heading his side's second on the stroke of half-time. Dale rallied in the second half but rarely tested Shrewsbury keeper Jayson Leutwiler as the home side kept alive their hopes of surviving the drop.

Dale boss Keith Hill made two changes to the side that beat Sheffield United at the weekend, Peter Vincenti replaced Nathaniel Mendez-Laing whilst Grant Holt was given a first start since his return to the club at the expense of Joe Bunney.

Having started the evening in the bottom four, Shrewsbury certainly looked up for the fight from the first whistle as Rochdale struggled to get to grips with Shrewsbury’s pace up front.

A long ball over the top caught Jim McNulty flat footed with Shaun Whalley racing clear of the Dale defence before firing a low shot that went in off the far post to open the scoring.

One could have become two soon after when another quick breakaway, this time from Jordan Clark, saw the winger play a perfect pass for Andy Mangan - Josh Lillis was out quickly to save at his feet.

The closest Dale came was a Grant Holt shot eight minutes before the break. A deep corner from Rose was picked up by Allen who sent a teasing cross into the centre. Holt, whilst lay prone on the floor, manage to get his shot away, defender Zak Whitbread was in the right place to block on the line.

There were huge penalty claims by the home side just before the break when Joe Rafferty appeared to wrestle Andy Mangan to the ground but referee Toner waived play on.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Shrewsbury doubled their advantage. A deep Whalley corner found the run of Knight-Percival who headed home at the back post despite the best efforts of Lillis.

With the wind behind Dale in the second half it was hoped his side would have more of an advantage but the home side sat back and defended.

Substitute Joe Bunney saw his goalbound shot deflected wide whilst Ian Henderson warmed the fingertips of Leutwiler.

In the end, Shrewsbury saw out the game quite comfortably and probably deserved their victory against an out of sorts Dale side.

Attendance: 4,221 (177 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Camps 61),Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Lund, Rose (Noble-Lazarus 46), Allen, Vincenti (Bunney 46), Holt, Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Bennett, McDermott, Mendez-Laing

Shrewsbury: Leutwiler, Grimmer, Whitbread, Knight-Percival (c), Brown, Clark, Ogogo, Black, Whalley, Vassell, Mangan (Akpa-Akpro 86)
Subs: (not used) Halstead, Wellens, Vernon, Cole, Smith, Grandin

Referee: Mr B Toner
Assistants: Mr M Amphlett & Mr A Clayton
Fourth Official: Mr N Hobbis