Shrewsbury Town verdict: The type of wins that should bring safety

A highly impressive victory against high-flying Peterborough the previous week caught the eye but, having failed to deliver a positive result at home in midweek against Crewe, this was a big game at the wrong end of League One as 19th hosted 17th.

And Shrewsbury saw out a crucial three points out expertly. They dug in, battened down the hatches and repelled everything in a gritty performance full of desire.

Just four points separated Town and the bottom four heading into the County Ground clash, at a stadium where Shrews had won just once in 19 attempts. Swindon could move level on points with their visitors with a win.

But the priceless victory moves Salop six points clear of danger and, with a couple of games in hand on many of their rivals, they look well placed to start looking upwards, rather than over their shoulders.

It has not been smooth-sailing, chiefly because of events off the pitch, but Shrewsbury’s record since Steve Cotterill’s appointment at the end of November – particularly given what went before it – is nothing short of amazing.

They have now won six, drawn three and lost just two of 11 league fixtures. Cotterill’s league points record after 11 games puts him second, just behind Graham Turner (in his first spell), in Town’s league history.

Given everything they have needed to overcome, with Aaron Wilbraham, who hung up his boots just months ago, and academy manager David Longwell at the helm, the reaction to adversity has been sensational. They may be without their manager – in all but presence with Cotterill constantly on the phone to Wilbraham and his players – but there is no shortage of knowhow and leadership in this side.

They were not at their best, perhaps, but Salop were comfortably the better side here.

On a bitterly cold, gloomy Wiltshire afternoon, on a dreadful pitch, it wasn’t glamorous, but it was effective.

They were well worth their lead after 45 minutes – plus seven for a worrying collision between only remaining fit centre-back Ro-Shaun Williams and Ethan Ebanks-Landell early on.

The visitors were assured, confident and useful with the ball, everything their struggling hosts were not.

Chances were not free-flowing, however, and it took another piece of mastery from the supremely talented new loan star Harry Chapman to make the difference.

Chapman’s half-volley, thrashed in from 25 yards as it kissed the right post en route, was a stunner. His third goal in three games after a match-winning double against Peterborough.

What a talent he looks, unquestionably one of Shrews’ more technically astute stars of recent years.

The other highlight of Shrewsbury’s impressive first half was undoubtedly debutant Curtis Main.

The 28-year-old deadline day signing received some ridicule upon his arrival at Montgomery Waters Meadow a week ago but served up a big portion of humble pie.

It was immediately obvious that Main’s hold-up play was excellent. The frontman, who stands at over six foot and is a real physical specimen, was strong as an ox and Swindon defenders bounced off him.

The former Aberdeen man bullied the home backline with a bruising display. It was the type of excellent targetman display that Shrewsbury have lacked for a good few years.

Main’s ability to bring others into play, as with Chapman’s winner, will serve the team well.

John Sheridan’s Swindon, whose display made Wigan’s effort on Boxing Day look impressive, badly needed to rally and improved after the break but got little to no change out of Shrewsbury.

The evergreen wily Brett Pitman is always a handful airily, he flicked one on for a Jack Payne half-chance and headed a few inches over in the Robins’ main opening, but that aside Town comfortably saw out the points in the ‘STFC derby’.

Wilbraham stressed in his interview afterwards that the victory highlighted the desire in Town’s ranks. Their defending was excellent, Swindon lobbed ball after ball into the box for barely any joy.

When trying to play between the lines, they came unstuck against a midfield of Josh Vela, Ollie Norburn, Sean Goss and then substitute David Davis who worked tirelessly to ensure they did not give an inch.

The final 10 minutes or so may have felt nervy – mainly due to the context of the league table rather than how hard Swindon pushed Shrewsbury – but it need not have. Shrews kept out their hosts expertly with as assured a clean sheet as they have recorded this season.

Nathanael Ogbeta, Town’s excellent new teenage star, was mightily impressive at left-back again.

Goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, behind his defence, took the pressure off brilliantly with some outstanding catches.

Wilbraham said afterwards Cotterill had spilled his ice cream and cup of tea in his hospital bed as his side put him through the wringer towards the end. He should have known better not to panic.

More credit is deserved for the way Shrewsbury were so comfortable and assured without their defensive linchpin and man mountain Pierre.

Pierre’s calf injury, sustained against Crewe last Tuesday, is a huge blow moving forward, particularly with Matthew Pennington already missing with a dislocated shoulder.

Pierre has been excellent since Cotterill’s appointment, but Town were forced into a rare position to show they can cope without him and did just that.

It was just the second league game Pierre missed this season – the first was through suspension – and his absence forced Shrews, for the first time under Cotterill, into a significant formation change, reverting to a back four.

Williams and Ebanks-Landell deserve a lot of credit for responding from a nasty head collision early on to guide their side to a commanding shutout. Pierre could be missing for a few weeks, so the 4-3-3 shape could be here for a while yet.

Sunderland and Ipswich arrive at the Meadow this week. Two big hitters. Town have a score to settle with the Black Cats and Ipswich looking average this term. Shrewsbury are looking comfortable, but must continue what got them there.