They hadn’t celebrated their second birthdays the last time Shrewsbury Town won a promotion within the Football League.

But the late intervention of Jon Taylor and – most notably – Tom Bradshaw ensured Graham Turner’s side return to Yorkshire tomorrow night with ‘Mission Automatic promotion’ still very much on.

While it may not have completely ended their aspirations of a top three finish, defeat at Valley Parade would certainly have made Shrewsbury long shots to take the direct route to League One as they chase a first League promotion since 1993-94.

And that was the gloomy scenario facing Town as they were somehow left chasing a game they had dominated entering the final 15 minutes.

Enter stage right Bradshaw who, on the day his countrymen drew a blank at the Millennium Stadium, spectacularly flew the Welsh flag with two vital late strikes.

His venomous equaliser from the tightest of angles just inside the box came only two minutes after his 75th minute introduction and thanks to an assist from fellow substitute Lionel Ainsworth.

And the winner three minutes from time was one for the teen-pack to savour — the two 18-year-olds combining when Taylor produced a barnstorming run down the left before pulling the ball back for Bradshaw to bundle home from seven yards.

The celebrations were befitting of a vital victory in Town’s season and one that leaves them firmly in touching distance of a coveted top three spot ahead of tomorrow night’s mouth-watering trip to Rotherham.

That Town were starring down the barrel of what would have been a truly damaging defeat was scarcely believable after they monopolised possession and goal-scoring opportunities in the most glamorous surroundings in League Two.

Shrewsbury were to find themselves behind after a 66th minute opener which represented only a second shot on target from Bradford who, in the first half in particular, struggled to land a telling blow.

The punch from goalkeeper Ben Smith as he attempted to clear a long free-kick from Lewis Hunt fell invitingly for Tom Adeyemi who rifled home from 20 yards.

At that stage, Town would have been kicking themselves after spurning a host of golden chances to take the lead.

Mark Wright somehow shot straight at inspired Bradford goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin from close range after a rebound dropped for the winger, while the quietly effective Nicky Wroe failed to take advantage of a one-on-one chance after a flowing Shrewsbury move.

Midfielder David Davis was then denied by another smart save immediately after the break while a Wright header from a Taylor corner was cleared on the line by a combination of McLaughlin and defender David Syers.

At the other end, Smith’s only action prior to the Bradford goal came when he tipped a free-kick from Gareth Evans around the post.

The strike from Adeyemi gave Shrewsbury a mountain to climb and the visitors survived a scare with the scores at 1-1 when a Scott Dobie header from close range was cleared off the line by David Raven.

But this was to be Town’s day and they deserve great credit for displaying the character to fight back from behind to secure an eighth victory on the road, equalling the number of triumphs they have achieved at the Greenhous Meadow.

A ninth win on their travels tomorrow and Shrewsbury truly will be in business.

Match analysis by JAMES GARRISON