Analysis: Shrewsbury Town rally to give fans a day to remember

As Storm Bert caused complete and utter chaos in the UK over the weekend, the wet weather could not ruin the Town boss's first game in charge of his new club.

Salop got their second home win of the season and ended their six-game winless run in Ainsworth's first game at the helm.

The 51-year-old, who was only appointed as Paul Hurst's replacement just over a week ago, was a ball of energy in his technical area, and he immediately got the result the fans wanted.

There have been some dark times this season - there is no doubt about that. 

But Saturday was the best moment of the campaign so far as they beat high-flying Blues.

Chris Davies' side are the division's big spenders. They have been immensely impressive to date, but this was a damaging defeat as it moved them down to fourth.

Town fought for every ball, put in tremendous tackles, covered a huge amount of distance, and made life incredibly difficult for Davies' side, who had no answer to them.

The home form for Shrewsbury has been such a concern. In 2024 alone, they had only won three times heading into that game, and now, with Ainsworth's first win, that makes it four. 

One of their biggest issues has been their ability to concede at will, and while they were still breached twice at the weekend, it was a better all-round defensive performance.

Blues had very few opportunities on Toby Savin's goal. He was forced into making one terrific stop late on to deny Jay Stansfield an equaliser, but aside from that, it was not the onslaught that perhaps some were expecting. 

Shrewsbury were good value for the three points - this was by no means a smash-and-grab.

It was full of resilience, and qualities that, to be quite frank, have been well short of the mark from Town's players of late. 

Ainsworth spoke in his press conference before the game about how he was confident that he could get the best out of this group, and that it was his job to try and improve them. 

Most people have been sceptical that was even possible given their lowly position in the league table. 

But on this occasion, they proved all the doubters wrong with their sensational victory, which sent Blues to just their second league defeat of the season. 

While the overall feeling following the weekend's result was incredibly positive, it does make you wonder. It is strange how Shrewsbury can go from the performances they produced against Burton and Walsall in the last two weeks to what they delivered against Blues. 

The new manager bounce is a thing, but if the players can run around like that when Blues come to Town and in Ainsworth's first game in charge - where was that when Sean Parrish and Paul Hurst needed it?

Town made a steady start to the game as they nullified high-flying Birmingham City.

But in the first 30 minutes, they limited Chris Davies' promotion hopefuls to just one opportunity as Willum Willumsson cut in from the left side only to hit the ball into the side netting.

Town played a different 4-3-1-2 formation, and they were energetic from the outset as they made and made life very difficult for their big-spending opponents.

And they were rewarded for that start when they took the lead just past the half-hour mark.

It came from a set piece as Mal Benning's deep cross to the back post was headed back into play by Tom Bloxham, and Aaron Pierre was there to volley the ball into the net. 

Salop doubled their lead seven minutes later with a brilliant breakaway goal. Bloxham's cross was scuffed by Leo Castledine, but it fell to John Marquis at the back post, who eventually, smuggled it over the line.

Blues had not threatened, but they halved the deficit before the break when Tomoki Iwata slotted home with his left foot. 

Salop have struggled in the second half of games this season, but they went so close to regaining their two-goal advantage when Marquis curled the ball onto the crossbar. 

They did get a third, and Marquis was instrumental again. He broke away before squaring the ball to Bloxham, who somehow managed to force the ball over the line past Ryan Allsop. 

Taylor Perry limped off just past the midway point of the second half as Ainsworth introduced Jordan Rossiter.

Blues got a goal back when Jay Stansfield converted from the penalty spot when Rossiter was penalised for handball. And Davies' side piled on the pressure in the closing moments of the game as they searched for an equaliser.

Somehow, 11 minutes were added on at the end as Town tried to hold off Blues, but they clung on.

One swallow does not make a summer. Shrewsbury's position in the table remains tough to look at - they trail 20th-placed Crawley by five points. 

But it does leave room for optimism.