Shrewsbury Town picked up back-to-back home wins with a fantastic victory over Crawley Town this afternoon.

Will Boyle's second powerful header in as many games secured the points, with the captain converting in the 85th minute.

Crawley had the ball in the back of the net in the first half through Harry McKirdy, but it was ruled out for offside.

McKirdy was later sent off for two bookable offenses.

Team news:

Boss Michael Appleton named an unchanged XI from the team that secured a 2-0 victory against Cambridge last time out.

In a 3-4-2-1 formation, Will Brook continued in goal, protected by Luca Hoole, Sam Stubbs and Boyle.

Sam Clucas and Ismeal Kabia started either side of a midfield two involving Taylor Perry - who was making his 100th Shrewsbury Town appearance - and Tom Sang.

The front three saw Tommy McDermott and Anthony Scully sitting just behind George Lloyd.

New signing Josh Ruffels started on the bench.

Crawley lined up in a 3-4-1-2 with Kabongo Tshimanga and Ryan Loft leading the line just ahead of McKirdy.

Report:

Town started brightest and could've taken the lead following a great bit of play between Perry and Lloyd in the 8th minute.

The quick move saw the former drill a well-struck effort goalward from the edge of the box, which Crawley keeper Jojo Wollacott did well to palm away.

Salop kept up their pressure and went close again twice in quick succession when first McDermott and then Perry took aim shortly before the half-hour mark.

Fortunately for the visitors, Wollacott was equal to McDermott's effort and Perry's flew narrowly wide.

Crawley started to work their way back into the game after Town's impressive first half-hour.

McKirdy was proving most dangerous, striking wide from close range before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

However, Shrewsbury's blushes were spared as the offside flag rose to abruptly cut the celebrations short.

Salop started the second half incredibly fast, and could've had a penalty within a matter of seconds.

A creative kick-off saw Scully play Kabia through on goal. The wing-back was then sythed down in the opposition box, but Town's appeals were waved away.

After a quiet 20 minutes, the game heated up in an instant as McKirdy committed a hot-headed foul on Luca Hoole.

The dangerman - who had been previously booked for a dive in the first half - was promptly given his marching orders.

Looking to make the most of this advantage, Michael Appleton made four changes in quick succession, bringing on Chuks Aneke, Isaac England, debutant Ruffels and John Marquis.

This saw Aneke and Marquis partner up top - with Perry just behind, while Ruffels and England joined forces in midfield and Lloyd shifted to right wing-back.

And with just five minutes of regulation time to go, Town's pressure paid off.

Clucas lofted a corner into the box, and Boyle rose highest to head home a carbon copy of his goal against Cambridge last weekend - thus lifting the roof off the Croud Meadow.

And Town held on for the points, securing a third clean sheet in a row and back-to-back home wins.

Teams:

Salop: Brook, Hoole, Stubbs, Boyle, Clucas, Kabia (Marquis, 79), Perry, Sang (Aneke, 65), McDermott (Ruffels, 76), Scully (England, 76), Lloyd

Subs not used: Harrison, Benning, Biggins

Crawley: Wollacott, Conroy, Barker, Anderson, Forster (Cashman, 66), Holohan (Bajrami, 58), Tshimanga, McKirdy, Pereira (Watson, 58), Loft, Flint

Subs not used: Brown, Roles, Scott

Attendance: 4,743 (166 away)