Shrewsbury 3 Oxford 2 - Report and pictures

Whalley had Town ahead at the break before Jon Nolan made it two shortly after the restart. Oxford responded through Wes Thomas only for Whalley to curl in a sumptuous third.

Oxford came again through Joe Rothwell's goal but a one-goal deficit flattered the visitors after a rampant second half display from Paul Hurst’s men - where Town should have added to their tally.

Town climbed into back into the top two for a couple of hours, with Wigan in action at Pompey later tonight.

Hurst made four changes to his Shrewsbury side as he targeted a response from the 3-1 Good Friday defeat at Rochdale.

Out went defender Toto Nsiala, who was taken to hospital with a broken cheekbone following an aerial collision at Rochdale, was absent. Max Lowe came in and left-back with Omar Beckles shuffling to centre-half.

Also in came James Bolton for Luke Hendrie. It was right-back Bolton’s first start since February at Charlton, where he picked up an ankle injury.

Bryn Morris returned from a one-game suspension to replace Arthur Gnahoua in midfield, while Stefan Payne replaced Carlton Morris in the lone forward role. Winger Alex Rodman (back) was still out from the injury that saw him miss Rochdale.

Shrewsbury had previously suffered just one home defeat in 12 with Oxford, who were overseen by new boss Karl Robinson for just the third time. The former MK Dons and Charlton chief, who lost as Addicks boss to Town in February, was hunting for a first U’s win.

Town had barely touched the ball, aside from a Nathan Thomas foul, before Oxford’s James Henry had a goalbound shot blocked and the same player flicked Dean Henderson’s woodwork from a corner.

In an open start U’s keeper Simon Eastwood endured a rough few minutes. He just about recovered from a slack backpass to deny Jon Nolan’s strike.

A Beckles flick was then cleared from the Oxford goalline by Josh Ruffels before Payne stabbed a sharp effort from Thomas’ cross was well denied by Eastwood.

Oxford, buoyed on by Robinson’s lively presence on the touchline, showed flashes of the ability they possess. Henry shot dangerously wide of Henderson’s right post before Jon Obika was kept out by a smart save midway through the halves’ midpoint.

The sting had been taken out of a fast start by Hurst’s men, but they were denied by a wonder-save from Eastwood after Shaun Whalley had cut in from the right superbly and sent a low left-footed, deflected effort goalwards. The flick wrong-footed Eastwood to get down to his left and save.

U’s midfielder Cameron Brannagan had Eastwood worried as he inadvertently scooped an effort towards his own goal that the keeper gratefully saved, but he could do little about Town’s next effort on goal.

Shrewsbury made the breakthrough five minutes before the break as Whalley’s low left-sided free-kick, some 25 yards from goal, fizzed through a packed penalty area and into Eastwood’s opposite corner. It was the winger’s 11th goal of the season.

Nolan had his side sitting much more comfortable barely 90 seconds into the restart. Whalley’s ball from the line hit Payne and fell for the midfielder nicely outside of the box. His first-time strike flicked off the unfortunate Rob Dickie and into the top left corner.

Town were rampant and kept attacking their shell-shocked visitors. A hopelessly short Todd Kane backpass had Payne running through on goal. The striker ignored a square ball to Whalley but sent his finish wide at Oxford’s far post.

Nolan’s deflected near post strike then crashed into the side netting before B Morris thumped a header against the crossbar with Eastwood beaten.

Robinson’s men had not read the script though, and after he scrambled for a double change, summoning Thomas and Malachi Napa, Thomas netted from close range with his first touch on the hour.

But four minutes after offering Oxford a glimpse, Town had the points sewn up. Bolton, who had impressed on his first start since injury, danced beyond Ruffels on the right byline and cut the ball back to Whalley on the inside of the box. The winger showed superb composure to sweep first-time into the opposite corner for a stunning finish.

The U’s, totally outplayed in the second period, again halved the deficit as - with 17 minutes remaining - midfielder Rothwell’s deflected effort swerves into the corner beyond Henderson’s despairing grasp.

Town managed the one-goal lead well and limited Oxford to little else in front of goal. There was time for a memorable moment for Abo Eisa - a January signing from Wealdstone - to make his Shrews debut for the match-winning Whalley.

Shrewsbury Town (4-1-4-1):

Henderson; Bolton, Beckles, Sadler, Lowe; B Morris; Whalley (Eisa, 85), Nolan, Godfrey, Thomas (John-Lewis, 90+3); Payne (Jones, 90+5).

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Hendrie, Gnahoua, C Morris.

Oxford United (4-3-3):

Eastwood; Kane, Mousinho ©, Dickie, Ruffels; Rothwell, Ledson, Brannagan; Obika (Thomas, 60), Henry (Buckley-Ricketts, 73), Mehmeti (Napa, 60).

Subs not used: Shearer (gk), Martin, Ricardinho, Smith-Brown.

Referee: Sebastian Stocksbridge

Attendance: 7,191 (674 Oxford fans)