The verdict: Shrewsbury Town deliver the perfect ending to a mad week

There had been plenty of movement behind the scenes during a busy week at the club. On Saturday, Shrewsbury moved up a gear on the pitch.

The takeover may have dominated - and will continue to dominate - the headlines, but it was perhaps fitting that Town capped a major week off the pitch with their most convincing result on it.

For all the questions about what comes next, there was one thing Gavin Cowan could control: his football team. And they gave him something to smile about.

The make-up of Scott Davidson’s American consortium seeking to complete a takeover at Shrewsbury had been revealed just a day earlier.

Northampton, meanwhile, are also in the midst of a takeover involving a consortium featuring former Brazil international Alexandre Pato. It made for an unlikely ‘takeover derby’. And it was Salop who came out on top.

Cowan has rightly insisted his attention must remain on the pitch. Even if the takeover is completed in the very near future, it cannot suddenly transform his squad. It will not rewrite the results of the opening weeks or put different players in his starting XI.

Those already at the club still have to perform. Against Northampton, they did.

The Cobblers were hardly at their best, but Shrewsbury were comfortable winners.

Cowan has spoken repeatedly in recent weeks about moments - and, more specifically, Town finding themselves on the wrong side of them. They have failed to take their chances, been punished at the other end and watched fine margins swing against them.

Against Northampton, Town made those moments count. They were clinical when the opportunities arrived, managed the game well once ahead and never allowed the visitors to turn it into a nervy affair.

Kian McMahon-Brown seized his moment. It feels harsh to single out an individual in what was, above all else, a convincing team performance. Town were united, disciplined and committed, with everyone playing their part. But the teenager shone.

When his chance arrived in the ninth minute, the Burnley loanee did not hesitate.

Sam Stubbs’ long throw caused problems in the Northampton area and, when it dropped to McMahon-Brown on the edge of the box, he lashed it emphatically beyond the goalkeeper.

It was precisely the sort of ruthless moment Cowan has been demanding. Shrewsbury had spent the opening weeks struggling to turn pressure and opportunities into goals. Here, their young loanee needed one chance - and took it. He almost had another soon after, striking the post.

Shrewsbury did have to weather a spell of pressure as Northampton grew into the game and began presenting problems of their own. But Town stood firm, with Will Brook making some important saves to deny Harvey Saunders and ensure their lead was not surrendered.

The goalkeeper’s contribution was matched by a new midfield pairing. Tom Sang and Jay Turner-Cooke were brought together for the first time and struck an impressive balance, linking well in possession while battling hard without it.

Sang was then influential in creating the crucial second goal, giving Town some much-needed breathing room before the break.

Kevin Berkoe had been one of Shrewsbury’s brighter performers during the opening weeks and struck to extend the lead.

Davison saw another header saved from Sang’s inviting cross, but Berkoe reacted smartly to follow up and score his first goal for the club.

It gave Town the cushion their performance deserved - and one they defended superbly.

In truth, there was little to trouble Town in a forgettable second period. Northampton were far from firing on all cylinders, but that should not detract from Shrewsbury’s organisation and game management.

Brook did have to get down sharply to his left to keep out Owen Dale’s powerful low effort, but that was about as close as Northampton came to making their hosts uncomfortable.

Otherwise, Shrewsbury saw out the victory with a display of resilient defending.

And so, after a week when so much attention had been pulled away from the football, Shrewsbury put it firmly back at the centre of the conversation.

But they have been here before. Salop also beat Salford City at home and, while they have been anything but happy travellers, they are proving increasingly happy hunters at the Meadow - just as they did during Cowan’s revival last season.

The challenge now is simple: back it up.

If this can be the platform for another strong performance, perhaps it will have marked more than just the end of a significant week. It could be the start of something.