Shrewsbury Town analysis: A statement and a potential away turning point at leaders Walsall

Michael Appleton has very much addressed the home form - but the away form has so far evaded Salop.

But could that be about to change? Well, if this display is anything to go by then their point at Walsall could be a turning point.

The fixture has been very much a regular in the EFL Trophy for a number of seasons - but when it comes to league points, it has a derby that has been missing from the calendar for more than six years.

It was the end of the 2018/19 campaign when the sides last met in the league, with Salop consigning the Saddlers to relegation from League One.

They have not returned since - but these days the tables have flipped.

No longer a League One mainstay, Salop are scrapping for their League Two status while former Salop skipper Mat Sadler looks to take the Bescot side the other way, and they went into the clash as clear favourites, sitting top of the table.

It was always going to be a tough ask to reverse their dreadful away form at the Saddlers.

But it was made even tougher within just three minutes - as Appleton's side suffered what can only be described as the worst possible start.

Walsall's potent, in-form loanee Daniel Kanu spun Tom Anderson and rifled home off the underside of the bar from 20 yards out to leave Salop stunned.

Rather than Salop being the makers of their own downfall, it just showed the gap in class between the two sides. Salop are crying out for a bit of that quality to produce moments like that.

The opener was quality - before indecision at the back almost led to a second.

Josh Ruffels' feeble attempt to win a header on the edge of his own box saw the ball nodded into the path of Kanu, unmarked and eight yards out but luckily his strike went straight at Brook.

It had the makings of going very wrong for Salop - but this isn't the Shrewsbury side of early in the season.

They settled rather than crumbled, looked more assured on the ball and at one stage midway through the half had a spell as the better side.

Anthony Scully had a goal bound shot deflected wide by his own player - while flyer Ismeal Kabia was causing problems down the right flank.

But for Salop's spells - the front line was blunt, as it has been on the road this season.

Whereas on the flip side, there was almost an expectation among the home fans that their side would create a dangerous opening every time they advanced into the final third.

It was Salop however who went close at the end of the first period as good work from Scully saw him find George Lloyd but his goal bound effort was blocked.

Take away the bit of Walsall quality and it had been quite even. However, it is those moments why the two sides are where they are in the table.

Salop needed a totally different start to that of the first period and they got it.

Scully had Myles Roberts scrambling to keep out an effort from range and after their best spell of the game they found a way through - albeit with a bit of fortune.

Sam Clucas' ball was laid off by George Lloyd for Tom Anderson whose left footed shot took a deflection and nestled in the net.

It was what Appleton's side deserved.

What it did do is spark the flying Saddlers back into life - as Courtney Clarke's superb effort from the angle cannoned off the crossbar.

And in the last ten minutes of the game, Mat Sadler's men started to have wave after wave of attacks, as they turned the screw on Salop.

But in truth, apart from Jamie Jellis having a shot deflected wide and Evan Weir seeing a tame shot saved by Will Brook in the final seconds of the game, Salop stood firm.

And on reflection, they had just as many openings in that second half as the high flying hosts.

They were good value for their point and had they nicked it at the death, it wouldn't have really been a smash and grab.

But small steps, you can't have everything. This is a significant step. It took Appleton a while to turn around the home form but he has done that.

Salop are strong at the Croud Meadow. On home soil they do not look like a side that is struggling down at the foot of the table.

Away from home they have looked like that side but this is a statement result for them.

It shows they can stand up to it, show backbone and dig in. That is something that was not evident earlier in the campaign.

They have it now at home, and they've shown it away at the toughest place to go. Could it be a springboard? It certainly has the potential to be.