Shrewsbury won the battle of League Two's bottom two to climb out of the relegation zone and anchor Newport County firmly at the bottom.

Anthony Scully's long-range scorcher earned the Shrews a third successive home win for the first time since August 2023, a result that lifted them two points clear of the drop zone.

Newport, meanwhile, are now four points adrift of safety, with manager David Hughes sacked soon after the final whistle had blown.

Both sides should have claimed early goals in an opening period full of attacking intent, and perhaps some less than watertight defending.

First Habeeb Ogunneye should have struck for Newport as a slick passing move scythed through the home defence, only for Shrews goalkeeper Will Brook to spread himself well to save.

Moments later Shrews striker John Marquis saw a close-range shot deflected just wide of the post.

As the first half wore on, Shrewsbury were creating the more dangerous moments and County keeper Jordan Wright had to get down smartly twice in quick succession to push away low shots from first Tommy McDermott and then Josh Ruffels following up.

The Exiles were again indebted to their keeper moments before the break as he made a third save at full stretch after Ismeal Kabia broke down the left and into the Newport area.

Shrewsbury finally made the breakthrough six minutes after the restart when Scully found the top corner of the net with a sizzling strike from just outside the area.

Newport had lost possession in midfield, allowing Sam Clucas to find his team-mate - with Scully given all the time in the world to steady himself for the shot as four Newport defenders streamed back past him without attempting a challenge.

Clucas nearly doubled the lead with another long-range shot that Wright batted away, but in truth the home side did not need the cushion of a second goal as Newport's challenge faded.