Shrewsbury Town 2 - 0 Rochdale: Shrewsbury secure rare home win against Rochdale

Shrewsbury secured a first home Sky Bet League One win since October with a 2-0 success over Rochdale to boost their survival prospects.

Shrewsbury made a bright start with the lively Shaun Whalley firing over in the opening minute.

Their pressure was deservedly rewarded with a 12th minute breakthrough when Whalley latched on to a long pass and raced clear before drilling a low shot past keeper Josh Lillis from just inside the penalty area.

Lillis then needed to be alert to save a close range effort from Andy Mangan and Kyle Vassell saw a shot deflected just wide.

Rochdale almost equalised when Ian Henderson drilled over from 15 yards, but Shrewsbury continued to look dangerous and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Whalley's corner was headed in at the far post by skipper Nat Knight-Percival.

Rochdale enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but Shrewsbury defended well to register a third clean sheet in their last four league games.

Jayson Leutwiler had to be alert to push out a long range drive from Henderson but Shrewsbury coped well with a Rochdale attack spearheaded by Grant Holt.

Vassell almost extended the lead for Micky Mellon's men but fired narrowly wide on the turn.