Shrewsbury Town analysis: Avoiding relegation looks genuinely possible for the first time

Before Christmas, when Salop made the trip to Wigan, they were 10 points from safety, and their chances of survival looked incredibly unlikely. 

But Saturday afternoon's result in south Yorkshire saw Town win back-to-back League One games for the first time in two years after a 2-1 triumph. 

The victory, thanks to second-half goals from Taylor Perry and John Marquis, closes a gap that seemed impossible to overcome to four points - and now Salop fans will genuinely believe.

They got their first away win of Gareth Ainsworth's era too, in brilliant style in front of more than 600 supporters. 

Safety is still going to be an uphill task, but Ainsworth has always believed he will keep his side in the division, and maybe, others are starting to think it is possible too.

Sorting out the away form was always going to be at the top of his priority list.

In Shropshire, they have taken 10 points out of the last 12 available, but on the road this season, they had won just once before the trip to Rotherham. That was the joint worst away record in the division. 

Under Ainsworth, they have made themselves much more difficult to beat on the road, and they did pick up a couple of draws. But the elusive first away win has evaded the boss until now.

Saturday's performance showed all the hallmarks of a typical Ainsworth performance. They were disciplined, organised and incredibly stubborn.

Shrewsbury have leaked goals until recently, but the first half passed with very little event. There were just three shots on target from both sides and they were not memorable.

The game was lacking quality, and if any spectators nodded off, you could not have blamed them.

That suits Town. The pressure was on Rotherham. As a relegated Championship side the expectation is for them is to be challenging for promotion - but they are currently struggling in League One.

The emphasis was on them to set the tempo but they were poor in the opening 45 minutes and Salop dealt with them easily.

Town took it up a gear after the break, and they got the game's opening goal when Perry scored for the first time this season. 

PERRY STARS AFTER CHALLENGING 12 MONTHS

It was particularly pleasing to see him do well.

The 23-year-old has not had it easy at all over the last 12 months. He first signed for Shrewsbury when he was brought to the club by director of football Micky Moore and previous head coach Matt Taylor in the summer of 2023.

He featured heavily when he first arrived. But when Paul Hurst was appointed in January 2024, he fell down the pecking order. Ainsworth has brought Perry back into the fold, and he has been able to show the skills he possesses.

He's a really talented footballer. He has bags of energy, and he does have a knack for a goal from time to time. 

In his interview after the game he recognised that it has not been an easy period in his career, but he deserved the headlines on Saturday, and earnt them with his brilliant goal and assist.

Sadly for Town, they did surrender a goal back when Rotherham scored a header from close range their captain, Hakeem Odoffin, got it.

But all that did was make it more special for the Shrews fans less than 60 seconds later when Marquis scored.

It sparked scenes of jubilation in the away end behind the goal. 

MARQUIS HAS BEEN SENSATIONAL UNDER AINSWORTH

Marquis is in brilliant goalscoring form. He has scored four times in his last five starts, and six in the 14 games Ainsworth has overseen.

He has been crucial to Shrewsbury's renaissance.

The forward, who came in under Paul Hurst last summer, was in and out of the team before the former Wycombe manager's arrival, but he has not only been recalled to the starting XI but he has also been given the captain's armband.

He seems to be doing a fantastic job of leading the troops week in and week out. The experienced frontman does have an eye for a goal and the ability to finish when he gets half a chance.

If you give him a sniff, he has proven that he will find the net - he has repaid Ainsworth's faith in him.

SHREWSBURY HAVE GREAT TEAM SPIRIT RIGHT NOW

The Shrewsbury players gathered in a huddle on the halfway line at the end of the game. 

And as a group, they went over to celebrate in front of the supporters.

They have not had a great deal to celebrate in recent times. It's been a battle following the club, but Ainsworth has certainly given them some renewed optimism.

The first away win since October, against Crawley, was celebrated in some style.

Town might not stay up. But one thing that you certainly know is that under Ainsworth, if they are going to go down, they will do it swinging.

An escape that looked impossible at one time is now very much possible.