For the second time in five days, Shrewsbury Town’s very own little and large cut their League Two rivals down to size.

Jon Taylor and Matt Harrold matched their goal-scoring feats against Burton last Tuesday at Southend on Saturday to continue to re-invigorate Town’s automatic promotion dream.

And, in doing so, the duo perfectly illustrated the new-look blend of youth and experience which has injected fresh belief and momentum into Graham Turner’s squad.

This was Town’s most convincing display on the road since the heady early days of the season, comfortably defeating a Southend side which had taken 13 League Two points from the last 15 on offer prior to the weekend.

Solid defensively, Town overcame tricky conditions at a windswept Roots Hall to produce flashes of penetrative and innovative attacking play.

And, after last week’s frantic end to the January transfer window, it came on a day when eight members of their 18-man squad were under the age of 21 – with five receiving ‘game time.’

Taylor has been the shining beacon for the youngsters over the last week.

It’s now three goals in the diminutive winger’s first two starts in League football and, what the 18-year-old lacks in height, he has more than made up for in energy, enthusiasm and no shortage of quality on the ball.

But his fellow members of Shrewsbury’s ‘under-21 collection’ continue to impress.

The combination of defensive assurance and unpredictable attacking has already sealed right back Jermaine Grandison’s place in the hearts of Town fans.

On-loan David Davis delivered his second accomplished display in the midfield engine room while, in attacking areas, there was a tireless work ethic on display from firstly James Collins and then his late replacement Tom Bradshaw.

While Town’s young guns have played a vital role both in an uplifting last seven days and this crucial triumph, the role of the more experienced hands should not be under-estimated.

All over the pitch there were steady displays on the south coast, captain Ian Sharps and Harrold in particular excelling on a day when Town showed character in abundance.

Harrold was to put the game beyond doubt with a stunning first time left-footed 25-yard strike on the hour, giving the visitors crucial breathing space on an afternoon in which they suffered few scares.

It was just reward for a tenacious display from the forward who survived a physical tussle with his former club’s defenders and a verbal barrage off their supporters.

Just as he had done against Burton last Tuesday, Taylor was to get the ball rolling for Shrewsbury with a fine finish, drilling home an edge-of-the-box effort after excellent build-up play from Grandison and Harrold.

After an even opening 30 minutes, further chances came and went for the visitors.

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff glanced a header fractionally off target, Collins blasted wide from a tight angle while Harrold forced two further saves from Southend goalkeeper Rhys Evans

At the other end, Shrewsbury were rarely stretched and, other than a late flurry of pressure in the final 10 minutes, the hosts only other clear chance was to fall to Peter Gilbert who fired wide from 12 yards with the scores goalless.

Victory was no more than Shrewsbury deserved and just a week after dropping to eighth in the table, Town are suddenly fourth — and with the automatic promotion berths firmly back in view.

Match analysis by JAMES GARRISON