Shrewsbury Town 3 Rochdale 2 - Report and pictures

Stefan Payne, signed on a permanent deal in the week, marked his second debut from the bench with the winner after Town twice had penalties given against them by official Andy Haines.

Payne, 26, netted the crucial winner against Rochdale at the Meadow in April, one of the key results in keeping Hurst's side in League One last term.

It was the first time in Shrewsbury’s history they have began a third tier or higher season with three straight wins. Town sit pretty in fourth, one of a quartet to begin with perfect records.

A spot-kick of their own had the hosts back in it during a frenetic first period, with Shaun Whalley finishing from the spot before Carlton Morris’ fine finish had the Blues ahead with his first goal for the club.

Town were unchanged for the first time this season, with the 11 starters at AFC Wimbledon last week doing enough to persuade Hurst to keep them involved from the off.

New signing Payne, set to make a second Meadow debut after his loan last year, was selected on the bench.

Six points from six available meant Shrewsbury were in search of a club record. The only occasion Town had secured three league wins on the bounce at the start of a campaign was in 2008/2009 (League Two) and 1958/59 (old Division Four).

They had never achieved the feat in the third tier or above.

Visitors Rochdale, more known for their Spotland form than on the road, were looking to improve on a start of just a draw and defeat from their opening league games.

The atmosphere inside a blustery Montgomery Waters Meadow in the game’s early moments did a lot to sum up the mood at the football club. The blue and amber faithful’s vocal backing greeted a high-octane start from their side.

They had already threatened the Dale box on a number of occasions in an end-to-end start, while the visitors were clearly intent on playing some football of their own.

Oliver Rathbone and Ian Henderson had already shot wide by the time Toto Nsiala brought down winger Bradden Inman following Alex Rodman’s poor clearance.

Mr Haines pointed to the spot and Davies finished with aplomb.

The breathless start continued as Carlton Morris should’ve equalised, but was foiled by Brendan Moore, before Davies’ effort was blocked on the line from Nsiala and the rebound dragged wide. The crowd groaned for their side to up the ante and tighten up.

A rare moment of calm passed before Whalley was getting his side back into it.

The winger had been lively and didn’t turn down the opportunity to run at Dale again, waltzing through two or three challenges, he was barged over just inside the box by Rathbone.

Whalley picked himself up to find the corner with the same unerring accuracy as Davies.

The tempo was about to crank up another notch if at all possible.

Louis Dodds was left holding his head in a moment he will re-live for the rest of the week. The No.10 burst onto a loose touch, breaking free of the Dale defenders and bearing down on Moore.

The ex-Port Vale man picked his spot but slipped at the decisive moment, allowing Moore to easily gather and the fans shake their head in disbelief.

It didn’t matter. Seconds later Shrewsbury were celebrating. Nifty feet from Brown released Rodman down the left, the winger’s perfect cross was diverted by Morris, who opened his account for his loan team with a cushioned volley.

Rochdale suffered a blow losing Callum Camps before the break. And surprisingly Keith Hill used his other two changes at the break in an attempt to stem the tide.

The visitors struggled to get to grips with an energetic and positive Shrewsbury. Most of the time the black and white stripes were contributing to their own downfall with some aimless passes and clearances out of defence.

But Town couldn’t carve out a defining opportunity and Rochdale continued to prod in hunt of an equaliser of their own.

Manchester United loanee Henderson was at his brilliant best to deny his Dale namesake from six yards. An outstanding reflex save.

But the shot-stopper and his team-mates were livid moments later as ref Haines again pointed to the spot, seemingly for an Nsiala handball.

Davies put it beyond the keeper’s finger tips.

The breathless afternoon just wouldn’t let up. Rathbone went within inches of finding the corner from outside the area before Rodman was somehow denied by the eccentric Moore after superb Whalley play. The Dale shot-stopper couldn’t decide whether he wanted to play hero or villain.

The game flew by, there were 15 minutes remaining by the time Payne, on for a second Meadow debut, burst onto a through ball, evaded the offside trap and finished into the top corner, sending Hurst scampering down the line in celebration.

Town were then challenged with riding out the wave of an almost unbelievable afternoon with not gifting their opponents any more openings.

They did that in impressive style, somehow ensuring the points were finally secured on an incredible afternoon.

Key moments:

2 - Town waste no time in impressing. Jon Nolan and Alex Rodman exchange passes, the former’s left-footed shot inside the box was just wide at the near post.

13 - James Bolton gets a toe on Shaun Whalley’s free-kick but it’s straight at Brendan Moore.

15 - Dale skipper Ian Henderson belts a fine strike just inches wide of Dean Henderson’s top corner.

16 - Goal Rochdale. Toto Nsiala brings down Brad Inman after Rodman’s poor clearance. Steven Davies buries the penalty into the top corner. No stopping that.

20 - Big chance for Carlton Morris. Latches onto Nolan’s pass but a heavy touch means the finish becomes more difficult. Saved by Moore.

21 - Rochdale should score. Davies’ shot is blocked on the line by Nsiala before the striker hooks just wide.

29 - GOAL SHREWSBURY! Whalley scores from the pen after making it himself. Charges past three tackles and caught by Oliver Rathbone. Corner right into the corner.

32 - Louis Dodds must score! Clean through but can’t beat Moore after slipping when about to let fly.

33 - SHREWSBURY GOAL! No matter, Junior Brown releases Rodman down the left, his cross is perfect for Morris to volley home.

43 - Bolton cuts in from the right flank but curls high and wide left-footed.

45 + 2 - Massive chance. Drops for Dodds inside the box, first shot is blocked and second draws a fine diving save from Moore.

49 - Davies’ curler is well-struck but Henderson is behind it all the way.

61 - Unbelievable save from shot-stopper Henderson to deny namesake Ian, Rochdale’s skipper.

64 - Rochdale score. Another penalty. Seemingly an Nsiala handball. Given away a second spot-kick of the day and he can’t believe it. Looked nothing in it at all.

68 - Bolton connects with Whalley’s free-kick but Moore is able to save.

70 - Rathbone strike is inches wide. Dale almost lead.

71 - Rodman is denied in spectacular fashion. Unbelievable skill and cross from Whalley, Rodman at the far post is denied by Moore’s outstretched foot.

75 - SHREWSBURY LEAD! Payne does it! Bursts through to beat the offside trap and to finish a bouncing ball into the top corner - how’s that for his second Meadow debut?!7

Teams:

Shrewsbury Town (4-2-3-1):

Henderson; Bolton, Nsiala, Sadler, Brown; Ogogo ©, Nolan; Whalley (John-Lewis, 90), Dodds (Adams, 81), Rodman; C Morris (Payne, 67)

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Gnahoua, Jules, Ennis

Rochdale (4-1-4-1):

Moore; McGahey, McNulty, Canavan (Done, 45), Ntlhe (Bunney, 45); Rafferty; Inman, Camps (Allen, 44), Rathbone, Henderson ©; Davies.

Subs not used: Williams, Collis, Canon, Kitching.

Referee: Andy Haines

Attendance: 5,001 (328 Rochdale fans)

Star man - Junior Brown

Position in the table: Fourth (nine points from three games)