Comment: Brilliant Shrewsbury Town are too hot to handle

This stunning season, where Salop have continued to defy the odds and break through any hurdle put in their way, has created enough memories for a stuffed photo album.

And this 2-0 victory at The Valley – oh so deserved as the visitors dominated from five minutes in until the end – goes up there with the best that this special group of players have offered.

An Alex Rodman wonder-goal and Omar Beckles header, both in the second period, meant that Shrews recovered from Jon Nolan’s first-half penalty, which was saved by Ben Amos.

Town’s away form has come good at a crucial time. Hurst’s men have struggled for results at Montgomery Waters Meadow recently, but on the road they have found a winning formula. That is four away day successes on the bounce.

This was no easy task. Wigan, Blackburn and Rotherham also enjoyed victories, meaning the top four all won, but Town’s rivals’ matches were – on paper – much more of a formality than a tricky trip to the capital.

For Karl Robinson’s Charlton had clicked into gear. Just one defeat in seven ahead of Saturday’s game, their manager acknowledged that his side were playing some of their best football of the season – and it had seen them climb into the play-off spots.

But Shrewsbury excelled in everything they do best.

Their energy was on another planet to the hosts. Charlton, whose athleticism has been hailed by Robinson, were torn to shreds physically. Town were far fitter and far stronger.

The former Premier League stadium, containing its biggest crowd of the season (17,581) with all tickets £5, could clearly see that Shrewsbury were almost playing with their hosts. Defending with ease and attacking at will.

It was nearly a different story as the home side flew out of the traps. Town had Dean Henderson to thank for a couple of fine saves that will do the keeper’s confidence the world of good. Ex-Salop man Sullay Kaikai looked dangerous.

Then Hurst lost the influential James Bolton to ankle ligament damage and on came Luke Hendrie.

But after that opening period Charlton were helpless to stop rampant Shrewsbury.

So many impressive performers meant the 1,254 travelling Salopians chanted non-stop all afternoon. Nolan dictated things on the ball while Abu Ogogo and Ben Godfrey won everything.

Wingers Shaun Whalley and Rodman were terrifying the Addicks defence while, further back Town were calm, composed and calculated on the ball. Beckles and Hendrie were mightily impressive.

Shrews totally outplayed their more expensively-assembled hosts, too. They looked like they were playing with the freedom seen earlier in the season. Hurst’s recent message of ‘relax and enjoy yourself’, certainly seemed to do the trick.

Following a week which included a little bit of turbulence after Hurst’s comments about the performance of Shrewsbury players and fans against Gillingham, this was just what the doctor ordered.

What better way than to answer any critics or doubters than to put on a performance like that? As a team and to a man Town were terrific. Hurst could have asked for little else from his men.

The performance level will not always be up to that standard. That is impossible. But if Salop continue with that vigour, energy and belief, then they will be tough for anyone to handle.