Shrewsbury 1-2 Walsall: Priestley Farquharson brace ends seven-match winless run

Farquharson fired Walsall into a 28th-minute lead when he placed a low shot into the bottom corner following a knockdown by Aaron Pressley. 

Iwan Morgan equalised with a free-kick into the bottom corner on the cusp of half-time, but Farquharson doubled his tally just past the hour to clinch a vital three points for under-pressure boss Mat Sadler.

Shrewsbury were reduced to 10-men in second half stoppage time when Josh Ruffels was sent off for his tackle on Jamie Jellis.

The hosts had won their previous five games on the spin, but Walsall put paid to their winless run which stretched back to January 17.

He made three changes from the team that lost 2-0 against MK Dons at Bescot on Monday. 

Evan Weir was recalled to the defence, Jellis returned in midfield and Vincent Harper replaced Courtney Clarke at wing-back, as Jid Okeke switched over to the right. 

Alex Pattison dropped to the bench along with Clarke, although Kacper Lopata missed out on the squad altogether.

Shrewsbury generated the best chance of a frenetic opening exchanges when Sam Hornby got across to his left-hand top corner to tip behind Morgan's free-kick. 

Walsall settled into the game and began to make inroads down the flanks with both wing-backs offering a strong attacking presence. 

But the breakthrough came from a set piece when Weir's free-kick delivery was cushioned down by Pressley for Farquharson to drill a low finish into the bottom corner.

Weir survived a scare just before half-time when Luca Hoole threatened to meet Josh Ruffels' flick-on, but the Irishman recovered to smother his close-range effort. 

Shrewsbury finished the half stronger though and fired another warning sign when Hornby stooped to push away Ruffels' deflected header. 

The hosts pulled level with the final kick of the half when Morgan curled a low free-kick beyond the reach of Hornby. 

Walsall recovered well after the break and were the side asking the early questions in the second half. 

Jellis headed a presentable chance straight at Matthew Cox and powered another volley just over from the edge of the box. 

They restored their lead just past the hour-mark, as Farquharson doubled his tally to move on to five for the campaign. 

Flint cushioned down another teasing free-kick delivery by Weir at the back post, before Farquharson guided a flicked header into the far corner.

Morgan continued to pose a threat for Shrewsbury and drew another smart save from Hornby when he cut inside and shot towards the near post.

Will Boyle squandered a chance to equalise when he was unable to direct his header on target from point-blank range after meeting Morgan's free-kick delivery.

Tom Sang snatched at a late chance for Shrewsbury, who ended the game with 10-men after Ruffels was sent off for his challenge on Jellis in stoppage time.

Next, Walsall welcome Fleetwood Town under the lights at Bescot on Tuesday night, before hosting Notts County four days later.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Hornby; Farquharson, Flint, Weir; Comley; Okeke, Jellis, Lakin (Clarke 82), Harper; Kanu (Adomah 69), Pressley (Matt 82).

Not used: Kilroy, Barrett, Burke, Pattison.

Shrewsbury (5-2-1-2): Cox; Berkoe, Hoole (Stubbs 45 +2), Boyle, Ruffels, Benning (Kabia 69); Clucas (McDermott 59), Perry (Freeman 69); Sang; Morgan, Lloyd (Ogunsuyi 59).  

Not used: Brook, Anderson.

Other details 

Referee: Richard Eley 

Attendance: 7,879 (1,640)