Shrewsbury Town picked up their first league win over Derby County since 1984 with a 1-0 victory at the Croud Meadow this afternoon

Despite late pressure, Town managed to hold on and take an important three points.

Team News:

Mata (New Zealand) and Nohan Kenneh (Liberia) both returned to the starting 11 following international duty. They replaced Kieran Phillips and Mal Benning in the line-up. Jason Sraha kept his place in the line-up following an impressive performance against Cambridge United last weekend.

This means Matt Taylor's side lined up in their usual 3-5-2 formation, with Brandon Flemming moving back to the left-wing back and Bayliss playing just behind the front two of Dan Udoh and Mata.

Derby County made two changes from their last league game against Cheltenham Town two weeks ago-which finished one apiece. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Martyn Waghorn both dropped to the bench with Louie Sibley and Max Bird coming into the County side. Former Town man James Collins led the line for The Rams - who shaped up in a 4-3-2-1 formation.

Report:

Town started the game strongly, with the first effort of the game coming from the home side. A low drive from Carl Winchester forced a good save from Joe Wildsmith, who got down to his bottom right-hand corner well.

Having controlled the opening ten minutes, Derby started applying the pressure. Their first chance of the game came from a good cross by Louie Sibley which was met with a strong header from Curtis Nelson. Marko Marosi managed to keep it out of the Town net with a strong right hand.

Both sides had bright periods in the first half, but it was Town who got the golden opportunity to go into the break ahead.

Max Mata drove into The Rams penalty box and was pulled down by Derby’s Curtis Nelson, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Tom Bayliss stepped up to take the penalty but unfortunately, hit it over the bar.

However, Town had another big opportunity to go into half-time with the lead. Bayliss picked up the ball and drove at the Derby defence at pace, he then slipped in an excellent through ball to Mata but his shot was saved by the trailing leg of Wildsmith.

Both sides looked to start the second period fast, but it was Town who produced the first clear-cut chance.

Tom Flanagan put in a low cross which was controlled and taken down excellently by Udoh. He then spun the Derby defender well and hit a powerful shot on the turn. An incredible save by Wildsmith kept the score at 0-0.

However, just a few moments later, on the 55th-minute mark Town got the opening goal. Perry got to the byline and stuck up a great cross and Bayliss rose fantastically, winning the header. Wildsmith managed to get a hand to it, but he couldn’t keep it out, resulting in the home side taking a much-deserved lead.

Derby looked to respond immediately with substitute Mendez-Laing driving into the box. As he lined up to take the shot, Jason Sraha slid in with an excellent tackle, denying the Derby forward from taking a shot at goal.

Town had a great chance to double the lead with just 15 minutes to play. Mata did well to beat his man and put in a superb cross to Perry. Perry took it down well, cut inside but hit his shot inches wide.

As we entered added time, Derby ramped up the pressure. A late corner was delivered well and Waghorn met the cross with a powerful volley, but a fine reaction save by Marosi kept the away side out.

Despite the late pressure from The Rams, Town held on and took all three points, and made it seven points from their last three games.

Line-ups:

Shrewsbury Town: Marko Marosi, Jason Sraha, Carl Winchester, Dan Udoh, Taylor Perry, Tom Bayliss (Elliott Bennett 93’), Chey Dunkley, Brandon Fleming (Mal Benning 78’), Max Mata (Ryan Bowman 78’), Tom Flanagan, Nohan Kenneh

Unused subs: Harry Burgoyne, Joe Anderson, Tunmise Sobowale, Aaron Pierre

Derby County: Joe Wildsmith, Craig Forsyth (Sonny Bradley 93’), Eiran Cashin, Tom Barkhuizen (Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 63’), Max Bird, James Collins (Martyn Waghorn 63’), Korey Smith (Connor Washington 63’), Louie Sibley, Tyrese Fornah (Conor Hourihane 45’), Ryan Nyambe, Curtis Nelson

Unused subs: Josh Vickers, Kane Wilson

Referee: Martin Woods.

Attendance: 8088