Shrewsbury Town fell to defeat against Bristol Rovers on New Year's Day.

A Fabrizio Cavegn hat-trick was the difference.

The closest Town came to scoring was mid-way through the first half when John Marquis struck the base of the post.

Team news:

Town were dealt a double blow before the game with Josh Ruffels picking up a knock and Tom Sang unwell.

It meant Salop reverted back to a 3-4-1-2 formation with Will Brook in goal and Luca Hoole joining Tom Anderson and Will Boyle in the back three.

Ismeal Kabia and Sam Clucas got the nod at wing-back with Taylor Perry and Isaac England sitting in a midfield two.

Anthony Scully was deployed more advanced in the number 10 role with George Lloyd and Marquis up front.

Bristol Rovers lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Luke Thomas and Shaq Forde on the wings. Cavegn was the central striker.

Report:

Salop were forced into an early change after Scully picked up an injury just a couple of minutes into the game. 

Tommy McDermott came in to replace him with eight minutes on the clock.

The game livened up around the 20-minute mark with both sides receiving huge let-offs within the space of 60 seconds.

First, Rovers were awarded a penalty for a push on Cavegn, but the linesman's flag spared Town blushes as the decision was changed to offside and a Shrewsbury free-kick.

From the resulting set-piece, a lovely bit of interplay between Marquis and McDermott saw the former played through on goal.

But his effort from 12 yards agonisingly struck the base of the post.

A scrappy first half meant very few chances were carved out past this point. The closest either side came was when Kacper Lopata's header was comfortably claimed by Brook.

As a result, the nervy game was goalless at the break.

The high-stakes feel continued into the second period and both goalkeepers were called into action within the first few minutes.

First Marquis was again played through on goal, but the on-rushing Luke Southwood was quickly off his line and blocked the skipper's strike.

Then Forde cut inside from the right and forced Brook into a smart reaction save down to his left that kept the scores level.

Rovers then took the lead just after the hour mark after a mix-up at the back allowed Cavegn to slot into an empty net.

The visitors and Cavegn then made it two just before the end of the game after the striker connected with Forde's cross

Cavegn then had his hat-trick in added time, slotting home at the back post.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: Brook, Hoole, Anderson, Boyle, Kabia, England (Benning 72), Perry, Clucas, Scully (McDermott 8 (Aneke 81)), Marquis, Lloyd.

Subs not used: Harrison, Gray.

Bristol Rovers: Southwood, Senior, Sparkes, Kilgour, Forde, Thomas, Lockyer, Cotterill (Chang 51), Conteh, Cavegn (Harrison 90+), Lopata (Moore 46).

Subs not used: Young, Mola, Sotiriou, Howley.

Attendance: 5,872 (611)