Shrewsbury secure rare home win against Rochdale
Shrewsbury secured a first home Sky Bet League One win since October with a 2-0 success over Rochdale to boost their survival prospects.
Shrewsbury made a bright start with the lively Shaun Whalley firing over in the opening minute.
Their pressure was deservedly rewarded with a 12th minute breakthrough when Whalley latched on to a long pass and raced clear before drilling a low shot past keeper Josh Lillis from just inside the penalty area.
Lillis then needed to be alert to save a close range effort from Andy Mangan and Kyle Vassell saw a shot deflected just wide.
Rochdale almost equalised when Ian Henderson drilled over from 15 yards, but Shrewsbury continued to look dangerous and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Whalley's corner was headed in at the far post by skipper Nat Knight-Percival.
Rochdale enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but Shrewsbury defended well to register a third clean sheet in their last four league games.
Jayson Leutwiler had to be alert to push out a long range drive from Henderson but Shrewsbury coped well with a Rochdale attack spearheaded by Grant Holt.
Vassell almost extended the lead for Micky Mellon's men but fired narrowly wide on the turn.
Source: PA
