Walsall debrief: Squad depth, George Hall dazzles and Rico Browne impresses on debut

Reyes Cleary opened the scoring with a powerful volley at the back post just after the break before George Hall doubled their advantage with a delicate chip over Shrewsbury goalkeeper Toby Savin. 

Nathan Lowe climbed off the bench to reach double figures as he guided a clinical diving header into the far corner from fellow substitute Taylor Allen's cross.

Here are the main talking points from the win. 

Hall dazzles

Hall consolidated his second assist of the season from the bench on Saturday with his first start since September and seized his opportunity with a dazzling display. 

He showed flashes of his quality in the first half but really came to life after the break as Walsall blew Shrewsbury away. Cleary got off the mark for the club with the breakthrough goal eight minutes after the restart and really grew in confidence after a quiet first 45. 

And Hall showcased his quality with a mesmerising run into the box before applying a delightful chip over Savin to open his goal scoring account for the Saddlers. 

The Birmingham City loanee has had a torrid time with injuries over the past 15 months but Walsall could be the place where he gets his career back on track and he could very well be a key player in the second half of the season.

Browne impresses on debut

Rico Browne was handed his Walsall debut after returning from his one-month loan spell at Tamworth. 

The 20-year-old impressed with the Lambs and demonstrated the confidence he has gained from that loan with an efficient display on his Saddlers bow. 

He read the game well and even played a key role in the build-up to Walsall's second with a floated ball over the top to send Hall away, while Evan Weir also shone on the left of the back-three.

Super Sam

Sam Hornby is as good a back-up goalkeeper as you can possibly find in League Two and he proved that once again on Tuesday night. 

The goalkeeper made a series of stops to keep Shrewsbury at bay especially in the first half with the scores still goalless. 

He has made a real impression in this competition - emerging as the hero in the shoot-out at Birmingham City and saving a late penalty in the 1-0 win over Fulham under-21s. 

Lowe reaches new heights

If Walsall needed any more examples of the depth across the squad then the impact of the substitutes provided exactly that. 

Three of the substitutes combined with Jamille Matt teeing up Allen to deliver an inch perfect cross into the box for Lowe. The Stoke City loanee inevitably made no mistake with a powerful diving header into the far corner to reach double figures for the season. 

The teenager has now equalled former loanee Freddie Draper's tally of 10 from the previous campaign.