Grit, change and intent: How Shrewsbury Town turned the corner

This was a significant victory for Shrewsbury Town, and the picture is suddenly looking a lot brighter again.

The stakes were high going into their clash with Tranmere Rovers last Friday. A defeat, coupled with results elsewhere, could have dragged Salop closer to danger.

However, that scenario never materialised. Instead, they produced a battling, gritty performance, combined with an attacking intent we have not seen of late, to return to winning ways.

Here are the main talking points:

Comfortable gap

While they are not mathematically safe, this victory has gone a long way towards that objective.

The three points provide a huge boost for Salop in their quest to retain their Football League status. With just five games to go, it would take a remarkable upturn from those below them - and a collapse from Town - for them to be dragged back into trouble.

You never want to get ahead of yourself, but it feels as though Salop are now in a very strong position.

The triumph was their seventh in 14 games under Gavin Cowan. Although they had lost four in a row before Tranmere’s visit, it remains an impressive record considering the struggles in the first half of the campaign.

So far, it is proving to be a fantastic appointment, and Shrewsbury will hope to build momentum heading into the summer.

Temple Ojinnaka

The Wolves loanee has had to remain patient, but he made his first appearance under Gavin Cowan - and his first since late January - and left the pitch to warm applause.

The 21-year-old has, as Cowan puts it, been a “victim of the loans”. With clubs only permitted to name a maximum of five loan players in a matchday squad - and Shrewsbury having seven - he has often missed out.

However, after earning his opportunity, with Cowan making five changes in total, he made a strong case to retain his place in the squad.

Other returnees

Ismael Kabia was one of the five players to return to the starting XI and was another who impressed.

The wing-back repeatedly stretched the back line, driving at the defence, reaching the byline, delivering crosses and creating chances. It was an electric display from the Arsenal loanee.

John Marquis had a superb game leading the line alongside Bradley Ihionvien. While Ihionvien tested the goal and came close on several occasions, Marquis was a tireless presence and delivered a real captain’s performance. He did well to gather the initial ball into the box and find Berkoe, who crossed for the decisive goal.

Nick Freeman was the final player to return to the starting XI and, along with Ojinnaka, was everywhere, playing a key role in the win.

Goal drought over

The victory was hardly a classic, but it did not need to be. Salop had lost their previous four games by an aggregate score of 8-0, so the priority was simply to get back to winning ways.

Despite the game finishing 1-0, Shrewsbury registered 20 shots - a remarkable improvement from the three they managed at Newport County the previous week.

The statistics underline a much-improved attacking intent, and on another day, they could have scored more and made the result far more comfortable.

Now, the challenge is to build on this performance, finish the season strongly, and perhaps even cause an upset against league leaders Bromley on Tuesday night.