Aaron Wilbraham: Steve Cotterill's half-time words inspired Shrewsbury win

Josh Daniels and Josh Vela converted well-taken second-half goals to earn Town an important win at the bottom of League One against basement boys Rochdale.

The victory is Shrewsbury's first at Spotland since February 2001 and ends a run of three games without a victory.

But the visitors were slow starters and Rochdale, without a home win in five months, passed up a couple of glorious chances to lead. Wilbraham said Cotterill's message via phone from hospital at the break was to believe.

"He (Cotterill) said at half-time 'you're the better team, you need more belief', because we've got better players when we pass the ball and move for each other," said Wilbraham, after the win took Shrewsbury to 41 points, nine clear of the drop.

"He really spurred them on at half-time, it gave them a little boost and kick they needed, they said after the game they needed that.

"As always the gaffer gets his team talks spot on, I remember at Bristol City everybody nodding at how he talks, he's really good at motivating, it was massive from the gaffer."

Right wing-back Daniels headed in 10 minutes after the break before Vela converted a fine finish 10 minutes later to seal the points.

Assistant boss Wilbraham, returning to his final club as a player - where he made his last career appearance almost exactly a year ago - revealed Cotterill singled out midfield general Vela as Town's 'Mr Consistent' after the win.

"He deserved that, Vels, the manager just picked him out in the dressing room for his consistency," Town's assistant said. "He's the biggest team player and has this great energy. He's an eight or nine out of 10 every week."

Wilbraham added: "I didn't realise we hadn't won here for such a long time, it was great, it's hard coming here against sides who haven't won at home for so long, they come out fighting.

"The manager touched on them coming with nothing to lose, they threw everything at us first 20 and we struggled to cope with it but credit to the players they organised and sorted it out and for 65 minutes we were the better team.

"It's so disappointing to not have fans but I'm sure they were watching on at home and proud with the win."

Town started Ludlow's Harry Burgoyne between the sticks as No.1 Matija Sarkic was rested due to his niggling groin problem.

Burgoyne recovered from a couple of early wobbles to make some good stops and preserve a very welcome first clean sheet in seven for his side.

Shrewsbury will assess Sarkic this week and decide if he is fit enough to return for Saturday's trip to play-off chasing Charlton.