Both sides needed the points from this fixture which has been known to feature plenty of goals throughout the years.
Perhaps, due to both sides’ lowly positions, a high scoring game could not be anticipated this time around.
Both sides were up for the game and Darlington could have taken the lead in the opening minute.
Top scorer Barry Conlon set loan striker Jimmy Corbett clear, but Town keeper Mark Cartwright saved.
The visitors enjoyed a period of domination and in the seventh minute Steve Watts saw his goalbound effort deflected and then a minute later Andy Collett came to his side's rescue with a smart save to deny Ian Woan.
Darlington were frustrated and midfielder Gary Pearson was booked in the ninth minute, for a foul.
But the home side began to take control and Corbett was again denied by Cartwright before Conlon headed wide from a Neil Maddison free kick.
Darlington took the lead in the 19th minute and this time Corbett turned provider as he set up Ashley Nicholls to sidefoot in at the near post for his sixth goal of the season.
Darlington doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Conlon headed in at the far post from a Tom Newey cross for his 13th goal of the season and the home side were not finished.
Four minutes later homegrown midfielder Maddison fired in from long range to make it 3-0.
It could have been worse for the visitors but captain Craig Liddle volleyed wide and then Pearson's shot was superbly saved by Cartwright.
Shrewsbury got themselves back into the game in the 52nd minute when Ryan Lowe picked up possession and turned smartly from the edge of the area to lash the ball past Collett.
Darlington made it four in the 74th minute when Pearson's 35-yard drive somehow found its way through a pack of players and past the unsighted Cartwright.
Conlon completed the rout two minutes from time when he was left unmarked and he curled his second goal of the game beyond the beleaguered Cartwright.