Manchester City’s international ensemble inflicted a first New Meadow defeat on Shrewsbury Town as Sven’s circus came to Shropshire.

Town had appeared to survive the greatest threat from the Premiership outfit during the first half, but late goals from Bernardo Corradi and Paul Dickov were enough for City to chalk up another victory.

But it was the sight of Sven Goran Eriksson in the county town which attracted nearly as much interest as the action from a sizeable Town crowd.

Camera flashes galore followed in the wake of the much maligned Swede’s every footstep as he made one of his first public appearances since returning to football in a country where he is more renowned for his international failings than his undoubted ability as a club manager.

Eriksson’s did plenty to adhere himself to the Shrewsbury public – signing autographs aplenty and politely dealing with any requests from supporters or media.

And he even found the time to stroll over to the Town squad during their post-match warm down and issued a brief message: “Thank-you boys, well done and good luck.”

He had every reason to deliver such a statement after his side were made to work every step of the way by a Shrewsbury squad who look on course for their League Two opener against Lincoln in nine days time.

Undoubtedly, there were times during the first half when the hosts found the movement of the visiting international stars too much to handle as City produced slick, inventive football in the opening period.

But Town stuck to their guns well and largely remained a solid unit as the visitors failed to find a way through.

Colin Murdock impressed at the back in his first full start since becoming a permanent addition to the Town ranks, while Marc Pugh’s energy, verve and occasional brilliance continued to impress.

It was a Pugh flick, run and cross – to leave Nigerian international defender Nedum Onuoha in his wake – which gave Shrewsbury a chance to take a shock lead on 23 minutes, Michael Symes glancing a header wide with the goal at his mercy.

Pugh himself had two decent chances to break the deadlock before the interval, firing wide with a shot from 15 yards and a header from a cross from Andy Cooke, who worked tirelessly.

It was, however, City who understandably and predictably carried the more potent threat.

Inspired by an eye-catching 45-minute debut from new £4.7m winger Martin Petrov signed this week from Athletico Madrid, the visitors looked like they may possess the wherewithal to challenge for a place in the top half of the Premiership during the opening half.

But their Achilles heel of last season – missed chances – once again came back to haunt them with Micah Richards heading a Petrov corner wide, Rohando Bianchi missing the target from close range and then seeing a shot hooked off the line from Neil Ashton before the excellent Glynn Garner saved well from Michael Johnson.

The visitors also had some misfortune with Brazilian Geovanni striking the bar with a brilliant effort from distance.

But when Eriksson re-discovered his England trait with mass substitutions at half-time in a friendly – the entire team came off here – much of the zip disappeared City’s play and a lack of depth for the Eastlands club was highlighted.

It at least allowed Joe Hart the chance to play 45 minutes against his former club and Town – who made five substitutions of their own in the second period which included a lively run-out for trialist Fola Onibuji – had more of the play without testing the young goalkeeper.

In the end it was City’s clinical edge which proved crucial in the final outcome.

Samaras’ perfectly timed run helped him get across the Town defence before meeting a Georgios Samaras cross and heading past Garner six minutes from time.

And the second, which was harsh on Shrewsbury, arrived in injury-time when Dickov rifled home after a one-two with Corradi.