Opportunity knocked for forgotten striker Dave Hibbert and he welcomed the chance with open arms – leading Shrewsbury Town to a winning start to the League Two season.

Struggling with a foot injury, the ex-Preston man had not featured in a single pre-season friendly for the first team.

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The announcement of his selection to line up against League new-boys Burton Albion was greeted with almost universal groans around the Prostar Stadium.

Yet he defied the low expectations, producing the kind of powerful and energetic display that reminded everyone why former manager Gary Peters signed him from Preston for a nominal fee back in June 2007.

Hibbert was joined by six debutants in Paul Simpson’s line-up – goalkeeper Chris Neal, defender Dean Holden, midfielders Craig Disley and Josh Labadie and forwards Jake Robinson and Nathan Elder all getting the nod in a bold 4-3-3 formation.

The tally might have been seven, but striker Kris Bright was only ruled out on Friday evening when Town learned clearance had not come through from the Greek FA to include the New Zealand international, who had spent last season at Panserraikos. Bright’s loss was certainly Hibbert’s gain.

In opposition, Burton arrived with a new manager – ex-Canadian international Paul Peschisolido – and a remarkable nine debutants of their own.

One of those nine, goalkeeper Shane Redmond, had the biggest say in the outcome – making two howlers that helped Shrewsbury to a margin of victory that looked far more comfortable than it actually was.

“It’s a win and it’s the three points that you want to start the season,” said the Town boss Simpson.

“We know we could have been better and we know there were periods when we were under pressure, but there were a lot of changes with the team out there.

“There was a late disruption with finding out that we didn’t have the clearance for Kris Bright to play, but I don’t think we could have asked any more from Dave Hibbert, who came in at last minute notice to perform like he did.”

It was two of the new boys who combined to put Shrewsbury ahead, Holden spotting the run of Robinson, who advanced on goal before beating the hapless Redmond from a narrow angle.

Burton had their moments, Jimmy Phillips volleying over and Jacques Maghoma forcing a save out of keeper Neal.

But the impressive Hibbert also went close to doubling the lead with a header off Disley’s cross that Redmond did well to tip around the post.

The big striker did not have long to wait though, powerfully heading home Shrewsbury’s second four minutes into the second half.

His celebration was exuberant and the roar of delight that accompanied it seemed to be the release of months of frustration.

Giving in to exhaustion just short of the hour, Hibbert left the field to a standing ovation – manager’s son Jake Simpson replacing him as Town reverted to a more familiar 4-4-2.

That actually pre-empted Burton’s best spell of the game as Peschisolido’s side pushed to get back in it.

Substitute Greg Pearson – Burton’s top scorer in their Blue Square Premier winning season – got one back within five minutes of entering the fray.

And Town old boy Richard Walker thought he had equalised soon after, only for his celebrations to be cut short by the sight of an offside flag.

The let-off woke Town up, and they restored their two-goal lead when Redmond somehow let Labadie’s free-kick through his grasp.

They might even have had a fourth at the death, midfielder Paul Murray unleashing a fierce 25-yard strike that Redmond did well to save, at least atoning a little for his earlier errors.

Simpson refused to get carried away at the final whistle, reminding everyone that a long season now rolls out in front of them.

“We’ve got 45 league games to go,” he pointed out. “We’ve had a nice day but it doesn’t mean we can all relax. That’s just the start for us.”