A brilliant goal from Dan Udoh saw Shrewsbury secure victory at Fleetwood.

The forward netted a wonderful solo strike that saw him first collect the ball in his own half before carrying it 50 yards and then calmly finding the bottom corner.

That goal was Dan's first since recovering from the anterior cruciate knee ligament injury which kept him out for the majority of last season.

Town's win was made more comfortable after Fleetwood were reduced to nine men.

Just minutes after Udoh's goal, goalkeeper Jay Lynch was dismissed for taking out Ryan Bowman and denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Then in added-on time at the end of the 90, Josh Earl was dismissed for a reckless stamp on Elliott Bennett.

Team news:

Boss Matt Taylor named the same starting XI for the third game in a row with Town sticking to their customary 3-5-2 formation.

There were however some changes on the bench where strikers Kieran Phillips and Max Mata were named in the matchday squad for the first time.

That meant Udoh and Ryan Bowman continued their partnership up front with Carl Winchester at right wing-back and Jordan Shipley on the left.

Fleetwood lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Jack Marriott flanked by Ryan Graydon and Junior Quitrna in attack.

Report:

A fast-paced start to the match saw early chances come for Fleetwood with Shaun Rooney heading a corner wide and Jack Marriott failing to get on the end of Ryan Graydon’s cross. 

Just under half an hour in, the hosts' most significant chance of the half came as Graydon’s cross was parried by Marko Marosi into the path of Junior Quitirna whose effort was cleared off the line by Chey Dunkley.  

Fleetwood had been on top, but a crazy two-minute spell saw Town seize the initiative. 

First, Scott Robertson slipped on the halfway line with Dan Udoh doing really well to take possession and then carry the ball the best part of 50 yards despite two men chasing him down.

The striker carried the ball into the box before calmly slotting it past goalkeeper Lynch and into the bottom corner.

Just seconds later a Joe Anderson pass put Ryan Bowman clean through on goal - with the forward nodding the ball past Lynch who clattered him to the floor.

The challenge gave referee Ben Speedie no choice but to produce a straight red card with 18-year-old Stephen McMullan replacing Lynch between the posts.

Early in the second half, Shrewsbury should’ve doubled their lead when a backheel from Udoh put Winchester in. However, his effort was saved well by McMullan at close range. 

Shortly after, there was a let-off for Town as a cross from Quitirna was met by Marriott who placed it in, but thankfully, the flag was up for offside. 

There were two debuts for Shrewsbury at the hour mark as Mata and Phillips both came on, replacing Bowman and goal scorer Udoh. 

With just a minute left on the clock, Earl stamped on Elliott Bennett off the ball and was dismissed leaving The Cod Army with nine men. 

This killed Fleetwood's threat and Town comfortably saw out the final moments of the game to secure all three points.

Shrewsbury Town: Marko Marosi; Joe Anderson, Morgan Feeney, Chey Dunkley; Carl Winchester, Jordan Shipley (Mal Benning 3'), Nohan Kenneh, Taylor Perry (Elliott Bennett 80’), Tom Bayliss, Ryan Bowman (Kieran Phillips 63’), Dan Udoh (Max Mata 63’)  

Unused Subs: Harry Burgoyne, Travis Hernes, Tom Flanagan

Fleetwood Town: Jay Lynch (Stephen McMullan 44’), Bosun Lawal, Scott Robertson (Carl Johnston 46’), Josh Vela (Ryan Broom 81’), Danny Mayor, Jack Marriott (Theo Williams 73’), Junior Quitirna (Cian Hayes 81’), Ryan Graydon, Toto Nsiala, Shaun Rooney, Josh Earl 

Unused Subs: Harrison Holgate, Phoenix Patterson

Referee: Ben Speedie