Shrewsbury Town secured a convincing 3-1 win at Barnet.

A brace from Brad Ihionvien as well as a Sam Clucas strike saw Michael Appleton's men triumph in the capital.

Salop were outstanding - particularly in the first half - are arguably should have won by a greater margin.

Ihionvien, Tommy McDermott and John Marquis all had good chances to make the scoreline more emphatic.

But that won't matter as they make the trip back to Shropshire, with Salop putting in a confidence-boosting display that fully warranted all three points.

Team news:

Boss Appleton opted for a 3-4-3 formation for the trip to North London.

It saw Will Brook make his league debut in goal with Elyh Harrison having started for England U20s in their clash against Italy on Friday.

Will Boyle, Sam Stubbs and Tom Anderson made up the back three with Tom Sang and Sam Clucas at wing-back.

Tommy McDermott and Taylor Perry sat in a midfield two with John Marquis, Ismeal Kabia and Brad Ihionvien a fluid front three.

Report:

It was Town who flew out the blocks at The Hive - with McDermott having a glorious chance to open the scoring in the fouth minute.

The move started with some lovely combination play from Marquis and Ihionvien to allow the midfielder to charge into the box with only the keeper to beat.

But he then powered a strike into the side netting - which half the ground thought was in.

What then followed was a crazy 60-second spell that saw both teams score.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock with Idris Kanu Kanu sending in a low cross that Shelton swept home.

But Salop dragged themselves level from kick-off with Brook first sending a long ball forward.

That was flicked on by Marquis with Ihionvien getting the final touch as the ball sailed past goalkeer Cieran Slicker and in.

And in the 26th minute, Town had completely turned things around when Ihionvien got his second.

The goal was created by Sang who did brilliantly to keep the ball in at the byline and send in a cross.

And that was parried by goalkeeper Slicker with Ihoinvien reacting quickest to fire in.

Just minutes the striker could have had his hat-trick.

Sang and Kabia combined to send the Peterborough loanee through on goal.

But goalkeeper Slicher did really well to block his effort and keep his team's deficit at just one.

Barnet hit back with Shelton seeing a powerful strike well-claimed by Brook.

However, Salop got themselves a deserved third just before the break when McDermott's clever pass found Clucas wide on the left.

And he then hit a cross/shot that flew into the top corner.

Salop fully warranted their lead. And they chould have had a fourth in added on time at the end of the first half.

Stubbs did well to win the ball and - with Barnet playing a high line - he played a pass that sent Marquis charging through one-on-one.

The forward had to carry the ball 50 yards. But as he entered the box, Slicker did well to race off his line and make a block at his feet.

While the first half had been non-stop action.

The second was more cagey with Salop doing well to ensure Barnet did find a way back into the game.

Marquis tested goalkeeper Slikcer at one end.

At the other, Brook made a couple of decent claims from dangerous Barnet crosses.

And in the closing stages, Town really should have had a penalty when - after substitute George Lloyd won the ball high - McDermott was clearly tripped in the box.

Referee Kirsty Dowle, though, waved play on. 

In the closing stages Brook made more good saves - with one to deny Ryan Glover particularly impressive.

But, overall, there could be no doubt Salop deserved all three points in what was an excellent team display.

Teams:

Barnet: Slicker, Collinge, Senior (Tavares 63), High (Hartigan 72), Hawkins, Kanu, Glover, Winterburn (Galvin 46), Shelton (Stead 63), Smith (Adeniran 63), Ofoborh.

Subs not used: Evans, Stutter, Hartigan.

Shrewsbury: Brook, Stubbs, Anderson, Boyle, Sang, Perry, McDermott, Clucas, Kabia (England 80), Marquis, Ihionvien (Lloyd 65).

Subs not used: Hoole, Benning, Biggins, Nsiala, Stewart.

Attendance: 3,009 (490 away).