A goal from Scott Ryan not enough for Town
Former Shrewsbury Town loan man Romaine Sawyers marked his return to the Greenhous Meadow with a goal as Walsall reserves ran out 3-1 winners in this afternoon's Central League clash.
Sawyers struck 15 minutes from time and Kieran Morris added a late third after half-time sub Scott Ryan had earlier cancelled out a lead given the Saddlers by Troy Hewitt.
Shrewsbury were captained by Connor Goldson who lined up in midfield just as he had successfully as a substitute for the first team in last weekend's home win over Gillingham.
The only other members of the first team squad in action were goalkeeper Joe Anyon, defender Alex McQuade and striker John Marsden, on the comeback trail from injury.
The rest of the team was made up of young scholars with no trialists included this time.
Walsall fielded plenty of experience in their side, among them former Town defender Dean Holden at the heart of the back four.
Walsall started brightly and grabbed an early lead when former Crystal Palace man Julian Gray broke free down the right and his low cross was steered home at the near post by Hewitt.
The Walsall goalscorer then sharply turned away from full back George Carpenter but Anyon saved well with his legs.
Marsden was first to test goalkeeper Shane Lewis but the Liverpudlian's shot was straight at him.
Mike Jackson made two changes just before the half-hour with Dave Easthope and Ryan Hickman introduced for Matt Jones and Niall Flint.
Another change followed at the break with Scott Ryan replacing Kaiman Anderson up front.
Ryan quickly made an impact with Town's equaliser early in the second half, finishing coolly after being picked out by a fine cross from left back Jack Richards.
Walsall continued to look dangerous at times and Saywers showed nimble footwork to power in a shot which Anyon saved well diving to his right.
Sawyers was not to be denied, though, and after a strong run from Hewitt down the left, the former West Brom man side footed past Anyon to restore Walsall's lead.
The Saddlers added a late third when Morris, earlier denied by a post, fired past Anyon.
SHREWSBURY: Joe Anyon, George Carpenter, Dominic Smith, Alex McQuade, Jack Richards, Matt Jones (Ryan Hickman), Alex Fletcher, Connor Goldson, Niall Flint (Dave Easthope), John Marsden, Kaiman Anderson (Scott Ryan). Subs not used: Ben Burton, Callum Burton.
WALSALL: Shane Lewis, Ben Purkiss, Mal Benning, Dean Holden, Matt Preston, Ben George, James McQuilkin, Romaine Sawyers, Troy Hewitt, Julian Gray, Kieran Morris. Subs: Liam Kinsella, Anadou Bakayoko, Aris Christopherou, Richard Jones.