Preston North End vs Shrewsbury Town. Sky Bet League One.
DeepdaleAttendance9,636.
Monday 21 April 2014 18:25, UK
Paul Gallagher's hat-trick helped Preston to a 5-2 victory over Shrewsbury, who moved a step closer to relegation from League One.
The result leaves the Shrews six points adrift of safety with just two games to play, while North End extended their home league winning run to five. Preston took the lead in the 34th minute when Lee Holmes ghosted in at the back post to head Gallagher's cross past Chris Weale, and six minutes later Bailey Wright rifled a volley past the Shrewsbury keeper. Shrewsbury were gifted a way back into the game in the 43rd minute when Shaun Miller latched onto some loose defending but Gallagher restored Preston's two-goal advantage in the 57th minute, steering Stuart Beavon's cross into the back of the net. It got worse for the visitors as Connor Goldson upended Alan Browne in the box and Gallagher lashed the penalty beyond Weale. Shrewsbury pulled another goal back when substitute Luke Summerfield arrived late at the back post to head in John Taylor's cross but Gallagher grabbed his third in the 81st minute with a delightful 20-yard free-kick.
