The Shrews will rue their lack of aerial power and let Macclesfield bully them at set pieces.
The opening goal came in the 18th minute when big Jonathan Parkin blasted his third goal of the season, rising above the defence to powerfully head home a Paul Harsley corner at the far post.
Ten minutes later Macclesfield scored an almost identical goal, this time centre back Tony Barras delivering a bullet header to convert a far post Harsley corner. Shrewsbury were a different side in the second half, Ben Smith igniting the touch paper when he crashed a 25 yard shot against the crossbar in the 49th minute. Shrewsbury where gifted a lifeline when Macclesfield's new keeper Alan Fettis let a low Smith shot creep under his body in the 66th minute.
The goal had been created by Luke Rodgers whose threatening running was beginning to cause havoc in the home defence. Rodgers might have scored twice in the 68th minute, only to be denied by two magnificent saves by Fettis.
The Mack's No1 was then in top form in injury time as he clutched hold of a Jamie Tolley drive.
Maccesfield manager Brian Horton said: "Over 46 games you going to have to grind out some results. We battered them in the first half but as normally happens they were giving a rollicking and came out much stronger.
"I told them at half-time that the next goal was important. If we could get a third we might go on to get four ot five, but if they scored it would be anybody's game. In the end though you could probably attach some blame to Fettis for the first goal.
"He made some exceptional saves to keep us in the match."Horton added: "I don't see why we can't go on and get promotion this season. We've got six points out of six and I'll let you into a little secret. Though I'm not a betting man I've had a little punt at 40 - 1. Those odds were ridiculous."Shrewsbury manager Jimmy Quinn said: "It's very, very frustrating to give away two soft goals when you have the height we have at the back.
"I keep telling the players that if you give away needless free-kicks and corners in the last third then you're going to put yourself under pressure.
"We didn't play well in the first half and I thought that we lacked the belief to win a game of football.
"We had a few words at half-time and we produced a bit more quality and more appetite in the second half, but to give away two such soft goals is very disappointing. "