Cambridge relaunched their promotion bid after six games without a win with a comfortable rout of Shrewsbury.

The hosts were always on top against the team with the worst defensive record in the division.

They went ahead in the fourth minute when Dave Kitson beat goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin in the air to head his 16th goal of the season.

Kitson got his second with a close-range tap-in on the hour while Tom Youngs snapped up a couple of easy goals in the 47th and 81st minute and Omar Riza hit another.

There was no sign of Shrewsbury's 28-goal attack of Luke Rogers and Nigel Jemson, or of the kind of form which stunned Premiership high-flyers Everton in the FA Cup.

Cambridge duo Paul Wanless and Luke Guttridge completely dominated in midfield, frustrating the Shrews to such an extent that they had seven players booked by referee Paul Danson.

The U's should have added a sixth goal in stoppage time but youngster David Bridges fired straight at Dunbavin.

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Cambridge Utd: Marshall, Tann, Goodhind, Murray, Guttridge, Fleming, Bridges, Wanless, Youngs, Kitson, Riza. Subs: Brennan, Chillingworth, Scully, Revell, Theobald.

Shrewsbury: Dunbavin, Drysdale, Artell, Redmile, Smith, Lowe, Jamie Tolley, Atkins, Woan, Rodgers, Jemson. Subs: Wilding, Cartwright, Jagielka, Murray, Murphy.

Referee: P Danson (Leicestershire)