Karl Robinson celebrates birthday with ‘fantastic performance’ from Salford

Salford boss Karl Robinson had a birthday to remember as his Salford side put in a “fantastic performance” to secure a 3-1 victory at Shrewsbury.

The visitors broke the deadlock through former Shrews striker Dan Udoh but Sam Clucas levelled from close range early in the second half.

Salford showed their quality late on, though, as Ben Woodburn and Udoh scored to secure all three points.

“When you analyse the game, I think we will be frustrated with certain parts of our performance,” said Robinson. “But you have to give credit to the opposition.

“They’ve got good players and they are playing at home and it’s a difficult place to come and play here.

“You knew there would always be a moment in the game when you don’t have it your own way.

“If I had to criticise our own players, it’s the simplicity of the game, we made it look a little bit more difficult than we had to.

“I felt as a whole we controlled large parts of the game. I’m disappointed that we weren’t more ahead at half-time with our territorial advantage.

“The way we saw the game out was exceptional. I know it was a set piece, but the goalkeeper should have been sent off and it could have been a completely different story.

“Again, I don’t think the referee was bad just for us today, I thought there were a lot of inconsistent decisions.

“It was a fantastic performance and a great win, and it backs up a really good win last week.”

Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton said: “Obviously the first half was frustrating. I think it was the only shot on target they had and the manner of it as well.

“It was a long ball and not dealing with the second (ball) and suddenly you find yourself a goal down.

“I thought we were good value at half-time, obviously Brad (Ihionvien) hit the crossbar and there were a few bits and pieces in the game from a chances point of view that we should have done better with.

“We made a change at half-time from a tactical point of view to get an extra midfielder in the park.

“I thought it worked a treat, we scored a goal and looked a real threat, we created chances and there was nothing really in the game.

“I thought we looked the more threatening up until the second goal and then, obviously, because of where we are, it’s those types of things that linger a little bit in players.

“For me, it’s about making sure we are the ones getting in front in games.”