Shrews pull clear with win over Southend

Posted Wednesday, September 13, 2017 by PA

Shrewsbury moved three points clear at the top of League One after beating Southend 1-0.

Jon Nolan's goal midway through the first half means Paul Hurst's side have now won six and drawn the other of their seven league games this season.

Shrewsbury started well and the prolific Stefan Payne twice went close in the early stages. A header from Shaun Whalley's free-kick was well saved by goalkeeper Mark Oxley before the powerful striker ran from the halfway line and fired against the far post.

Southend, without a win since beating Blackburn on the opening day of the season, responded with a long-range shot from Stephen McLaughlin which was kept out by Dean Henderson before Jason Demetriou's 25 yard free-kick drifted just wide.

The breakthrough Shrewsbury wanted arrived in the 23rd minute as midfielder Nolan burst into the box and linked well with Payne before firing in his first goal for the club since a summer move from Chesterfield.

Southend pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the second half, with Michael Timlin and Ryan Leonard both just off target from close range.

The visitors were then denied a late leveller when sub Simon Cox's header was brilliantly kept out by Henderson at full stretch as Shrewsbury's impressive start continued.