Burton 1 Shrewsbury 0 - Report and pictures

A goal on the hour mark from defender George Taft was enough to secure the win for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side in a scrappy game at the Pirelli Stadium.

The win lifts the Brewers above Town who drop to third with Wycombe back at the league's summit after beating bottom club Hartlepool.

Boss Micky Mellon named the same team for the third straight game with Scott Vernon keeping his place up front.

On the bench there was a return for combative midfielder James Wesolowski who was fit following a hamstring problem.

For Burton, former Town captain Ian Sharps was amongst the substitutes but there was no place in the squad for fellow ex-Shrew Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.

Shrewsbury kicked off in front of an incredible 1,545 travelling Salopians who made the short journey up the M6.

And their dedication was almost rewarded in the opening five minutes when some neat build-up play saw the ball worked wide right to Josh Passley.

The wing-back sent in a curling cross which was met by a flying James Collins but his header was straight at the 'keeper.

Moments later and the duo combined again following an incisive break from a Burton corner.

After Ryan Woods sent Bobby Grant away, Town had four players against two with Passley delivering another tantalising cross.

Collins again rose highest but his header was thwarted once more by an even smarter stop from Jon McLaughlin.

Burton showed the first signs of an attacking threat just before the 20 minute mark when Darragh Lenihan sent a low cross into the box with found striker Stuart Beavon.

The Brewers talisman looked to turn in the box but Woods was on hand to snuff out the danger.

Shrewsbury were enjoying a lot of possession but were struggling to find an outlet against a well-drilled Burton side.

With the game being largely played in the middle of the park, Liam Lawrence and Collins combined expertly to find Grant in the box.

The talented midfielder took a touch and drilled a low shot that was heading into the bottom corner but McLaughlin got down smartly to push it for a corner.

Burton hit back just before the break when Matty Palmer's free kick from the edge of the box was parried away by Jayson Leutwiler.

Seconds later, Woods entered the referees notepad for tripping Beavon on the half way line as the Brewers looked to break.

With boss Hasselbaink ringing in their ears, Burton made a flying start to the second half with Phil Edwards hitting a low shot that fizzed past the post in the opening 30 seconds.

Nat Knight-Percival then had to slide in to produce a brilliant block after Jacob Blyth had found space in the box.

The early stages were proving to be all Burton with Palmer seeing a dangerous free kick punched clear by Leutwiler.

And the home side got the goal their early pressure deserved when, following a succession of corners, defender George Taft brilliantly stabbed the ball into the top corner.

Town looked for an instant response with Woods shooting wide.

But the Brewers should have doubled their advantage when Dutchman Kelvin Maynard turned two players and hit a rasping shot just wide.

Mellon responded by brining on Wesolowski for defender Mark Ellis with Town switching to a midfield diamond.

But it was Burton who continued to press with Maynard bursting into the box and hitting a low shot which Leutwiler brilliantly saved with his legs.

The move seemed to spur Town into life and after a spell of sustained pressure Lawrence hit a wonderful volley just over the bar.

'Keeper McLaughlin then dropped a deep Woods cross but had a defender to thank as he cleared the danger.

Mellon switched things up again with 15 minutes remaining - striker Andy Mangan coming on for Lawrence.

And Town almost pulled level when Mangan brilliantly controlled the ball in the box and hit a fizzing shot which was deflected inches wide.

From the resultant corner, Goldson headed past the post.

But it was with two minutes remaining when Town had the best chance of the game for either side.

Wesolowski got to the by-line and sent a wonderful ball across the six-yard box which Mickey Demetriou inexplicably fired over the bar.

It was a terrible miss from the wing-back who simply had to side foot home with the goal at his mercy.

Despite five minutes of stoppage time, Town were unable to break through a resolute Burton backline to slip to their first defeat in the league since November.