Thrilled boss Graham Turner today saluted scintillating Shrewsbury’s five-star show after they spectacularly burst back into League Two’s automatic promotion places.

Town’s biggest away League victory for a decade – since the 7-1 triumph at Rochdale in February 2001 – arrived in stunning fashion last night as they ran out 5-1 winners at Lincoln.

All the goals came during a pulsating opening 35 minutes with the recalled Lionel Ainsworth grabbing a 13 minute hat-trick. And Turner placed his side’s display as on a par with anything they have produced this season.

“I thought the first half we played some scintillating football going forward,” said the Town boss.

“The movement, the passing and the pace we played at was absolute top quality.

“The second half didn’t really take off but the first half was magnificent.

“The pace we played at was the most important thing but the precision of the passing used the mobility and pace to full effect.”

Turner admitted the outstanding victory, over a side who had won five straight League games before last night, was a team effort.

“Matt Harrold got hold of things brilliantly and the two wide players (Jon Taylor and Mark Wright) and Lionel played off him,” he added.

“There was good service and back-up from midfield and the back four was as good as I have seen them. They controlled most things.”

Town’s third successive League triumph, coupled with a 3-1 defeat for Rotherham at Gillingham, saw them return to third in the table.

But Turner has urged his side to maintain concentration ahead of the weekend visit of Stevenage.

“We have played one or two games more than sides around us but it’s a good position to be in,” he said.

“We have a home game on Saturday and we have to make sure we stay focussed and not get carried away with the result last night.”

Striker Benjamin van den Broek is pencilled in to make his return from injury in the reserves at Morecambe tonight.

But Nathan Elder will wait another week before making his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury last April.

By JAMES GARRISON