An outstanding second half performance saw Shrewsbury make it five wins in a row with victory at Salford. 

The hosts went into the break ahead in Greater Manchester in fortutious circumstances when Matt Cox palmed the ball into Luca Hoole for an own-goal.

But Salop were sublime after the interval with goals from Tom Sang and Will Boyle winning the contest.

Team news:

Boss Cowan kept faith with the team that made it four wins in a row at Accrington when naming his starting line-up.

That meant, having been warmed up by Salop legend Joe Hart, Matt Cox continued in goal.

Luca Hoole, Will Boyle and Josh Ruffels made up the back three with Kevin Berkoe at right wing-back and Mal Benning on the left.

Taylor Perry and Tom San sat in midfield with Tommy McDermott more advanced in the number 10 role.

George Lloyd and Iwan Morgan were the front two.

Salford, who were without Town favourite Dan Udoh, lined up in a 3-5-2 system w ith Ryan Graydon partnering Cole Stockton in attack.

Report:

In what, overall, was a cagey opening 20 minutes - the hosts did create two opportunities to open the scoring.

First, Ossama Ashley let fly with a fierce drive from 25 yards that whistle past the post.

Kelly Nmari then sent ina low cross that was met by the onrushing Jorge Grant. His effort, though, was straight at Cox in the Town goal.

Salop responded with Morgan testing goalkeeper Matty Young with an effort from the edge of the box.

The Brentford loanee then deliverted a wonderful cross which Boyle headed narrowly over the bar.

The half proved a scrappy affair from that point.

But just seconds before the interval, the hosts got themselves ahead in fortunate circumstances.

Following a goal-mouth scramble, Cox looked to push the ball clear only for it to hit Hoole and go into the Town net.

Cowan made a double change at the break with Nick Freeman and Trey Ogunsuyi replacing Perry and Lloyd.

And six minutes later, Town were on terms.

Following a long spell of pressure, the ball was half-cleared to Sang on the edge of the box.

And he made no mistake - brilliantly lashing the ball from 20 yards.

Only a brilliant save from Matty Young then prevented Town from taking the lead.

After Benning's free-kick was cleared, McDermott let fly with an outstanding strike that looked destined to nestle into the corner.

But at full-stretch, Young managed to get down and spectacularly tip the ball away.

It has been all Town after the interval.

But Salford came a whisker away from re-taking the lead in the 64th minute when a deep cross was headed against the bar by Josh Austerfield.

That missed proved even more costly when - with around 15 minutes to go - Town got themselves ahead.

Following a throw, Benning sent in a cross which was collected by Boyle.

And the centre-back then spun brilliantly before lashing the ball into the bottom corner and beyond the reach of Young.

Salford went on to put Salop under heavy pressure late on - but Cowan's men dealt with the threat superbly to make it five wins on the spin.

Teams:

Salford: Young, Ashley, Grant (Woodburn 63), Stockton (Longelo 63), Nmai, Cooper, Austerfield, Mnoga, Dorrington (Oluwo 63), Graydon, Awe.

Subs not used: Howard, Borini, Butcher, Ehibhatiomhan.

Shrewsbury: Cox, Hoole, Boyle, Ruffels, Berkoe, Sang, Perry (Freeman 46), Benning, McDermott (Clucas 69), Lloyd (Ogunsuyi 46), Morgan.

Subs not used: Brook, Anderson, Ojinnaka, Stubbs.

Attendance: 2,540 (574 away).