Stuart Nicholson pounced to put them ahead after just three minutes when Stanley keeper Kenny Arthur failed to claim Marc Pugh's low driven cross.

Accrington midfielder James Harris was shown a straight red card for fouling Pugh three minutes after the break.

And when Pugh was brought down by Peter Cavanagh, Dave Hibbert, who had earlier hit a post, converted the penalty.

Shrewsbury: Garner, Darren Moss, Langmead, Murdock (Kempson 28), Tierney, Herd (Hall 63), Drummond, Hunt, Pugh, Hibbert (Symes 74), Nicholson.
Subs Not Used: Esson, Humphrey.

Booked: Langmead, Darren Moss.

Goals: Nicholson 3, Hibbert 52 pen.

Accrington Stanley: Arthur, Cavanagh (Richardson 68), Williams, Roberts, Branch, Brown, Proctor, Harris, Miles (Whalley 56), D'Sane (Boco 56), Mullin.
Subs Not Used: Dunbavin, Sean Webb.

Sent Off: Harris (48).

Booked: Proctor, Cavanagh, Mullin, Whalley, Brown.

Att: 5,789.