Northampton 2 Shrewsbury 3 - match report

In every team's season comes a defining moment.

And as jubilant Shrewsbury Town boarded the team coach at Northampton on Saturday night, there was no escaping the feeling it may have arrived at Sixfields for Graham Turner's buoyant side.

This three point haul failed to improve Town's League position and they are still playing catch-up in the race for the much sought-after top three positions.

But none of Shrewsbury's 15 League victories to date have felt quite as significant.

On a ground where Town have failed to notch a point or even a goal in four previous visits, they twice fought back from behind against a Northampton side given the extra impetus provided by New Manager Syndrome.

And the cherry on the cake arrived three minutes from time with Jon Taylor's dramatic winner sparking wild scenes of celebration among visiting players and supporters alike.

This was a breath-taking afternoon - not least because Sixfields played host to five quite brilliant strikes, none of which would have looked out of place on a goal of the season video reel.

Shrewsbury's football may not have flowed as freely as it has done at other stages of the season.

But the character, steel and resilience required to secure a third successive away League victory bodes well for the crucial run-in.

And what an inspiration Taylor is proving.

It's now five goals in eight appearances for Shrewsbury's 18-year-old pocket rocket, but none were as important as the perfectly hit 20-yard half volley which capitalised on Northampton's failure to clear a corner to turn one point into three.

While Taylor's effort was both sweetly struck and precisely placed, it is no exaggeration to suggest that it was eclipsed in terms of style - if not importance - by the four efforts which proceeded it.

While he ended up on the losing team, Northampton winger Michael Jacobs won't forget this encounter in a hurry after two goals which will rank among the best of his career.

Just six minutes were on the clock when Jacobs picked up the ball more than 25 yards from goal before thundering an unstoppable strike which flew in off the bar.

And one Jacobs cracker was followed by another when, two minutes after the interval, he opted for accuracy over power from similar distance with a shot which was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his right boot.

But, crucially, Shrewsbury issued immediate - and equally impressive - responses each time they fell behind.

Town trailed to Jacobs' opener for little over 60 seconds before David Davis rifled home a first time shot from just inside the box after a Taylor cross had been laid off by Matt Harrold, who was restricted to a 45 minute outing because of illness.

And James Collins repeated the dose shortly after Jacobs completed his brace with a sublime 25 yard effort which left Northampton goalkeeper Chris Dunn with no chance.

Both sides had chances to snatch all three points in an easy-on-the-eye encounter which ebbed and flowed and was a great advert for League Two football.

But, with Town's midfield pairing of Davis and Nicky Wroe becoming increasingly influential figures at the heart of the battle, the clearer opportunities went Shrewsbury's way.

Town now need to ensure the Bury defeat last week was a blip on the promotion radar and that more performances similar to this one - won by that dramatic and welcome late twist from Taylor - prove to be regular fare for the Shrewsbury faithful.

Only time will tell if this proves the launchpad for an automatic promotion burst for Town.

But, with tomorrow's big derby with Port Vale looming on the horizon, it certainly had the feel of a crucial moment in the campaign.

Match analysis by JAMES GARRISON