Shrewsbury Town analysis: Avoiding relegation looks genuinely possible for the first time

Before Christmas, when Salop made the trip to Wigan, they were 10 points from safety, and their chances of survival looked incredibly unlikely. 

But Saturday afternoon's result in south Yorkshire saw Town win back-to-back League One games for the first time in two years after a 2-1 triumph. 

The victory, thanks to second-half goals from Taylor Perry and John Marquis, closes a gap that seemed impossible to overcome to four points - and now Salop fans will genuinely believe.

They got their first away win of Gareth Ainsworth's era too, in brilliant style in front of more than 600 supporters. 

Safety is still going to be an uphill task, but Ainsworth has always believed he will keep his side in the division, and maybe, others are starting to think it is possible too.

Sorting out the away form was always going to be at the top of his priority list.

In Shropshire, they have taken 10 points out of the last 12 available, but on the road this season, they had won just once before the trip to Rotherham. That was the joint worst away record in the division. 

Under Ainsworth, they have made themselves much more difficult to beat on the road, and they did pick up a couple of draws. But the elusive first away win has evaded the boss until now.

Saturday's performance showed all the hallmarks of a typical Ainsworth performance. They were disciplined, organised and incredibly stubborn.

Shrewsbury have leaked goals until recently, but the first half passed with very little event. There were just three shots on target from both sides and they were not memorable.