Match Report

An early goal by man-of-the-match Ben Davies and a late strike by substitute Richard Walker helped Shrewsbury Town maintain their 100 per cent home record.

This win leapfrogs the Shrews above Bradford City into third place in the table. The home side dominated the first half but it was much closer after the break, with the Bantams showing a marked improvement.

The Shrews got off to a flying start and scored with their first serious attack in the fourth minute. Grant Holt cut in from the left and although keeper Rhys Evans saved his shot, he could not get a hand to Davies' follow-up shot.

The home fans celebrated again six minutes later, but this time Holt's close-range shot was chalked off for offside.

The home side ought to have doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark. Kevin McIntyre's teasing cross sliced the Bradford defence wide open, but the inrushing Sean Thornton sliced his shot just wide.

The Shrews continued to dictate and went very close again in the 41st minute when Holt again cut in from the left and although his shot eluded Evans, it clipped the outside of the far post and rolled to safety.

Bradford's best chance of the first-half came in the 12 minutes of stoppage time that was played following a serious head injury to Thomas Moncur.

Omar Daley thought he had equalised with a rasping drive, but Ben Herd dived to head the ball off the line. Then, from the resulting corner, Dean Furman thumped a drive just over the bar.

However, Shrewsbury finished the half on top and it took a good save by Evans to prevent Michael Jackson from scoring with a close-range header.

After a quiet opening, the second half burst briefly into life with the lively Davies twice warming Evanss hands with crisp shots.

The visitors enjoyed their best period of play during the middle stages of the second half, but it was not until the 80th minute that they seriously threatened the home goal and then it took a brave save by Luke Daniels to thwart Barry Conlon.

The home side had the last word and doubled their advantage in injury-time when substitute Walker nudged home a superb low right-wing cross by Holt.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides