New boss Paul Simpson was on the verge of masterminding Shrewsbury's first win in nine games when the Shrews' former club captain, Jamie Tolley, gave the best answer to his mockers in the away stand with a stunning 20 yard strike.
Better was to follow for the Cheshire side as Francis Green scored his 10th goal of the campaign and his second in two games with a thundering 25-yard drive into the top corner.
Shrewsbury had taken the lead in the 64th minute when sub Dave Hibbert, a player Simpson had discarded when he was boss at Preston, got on the end of a Marc Pugh throughball before delivering a clinical finish past the diving Jon Brain.
Brain had been at his best in the early stages when he flung himself full-length in the third minute to tip a Pugh drive over the bar. Seconds later Shrewsbury were again unlucky when Kevin McIntyre, a former Macclesfield captain, saw a 20-yard chip clip the crossbar.
Macc's first chance came in the 11th minute when Tolley put a volley inches wide. Youngster Gareth Evans then saw a speculative drive well saved by Glyn Garner in the 33rd minute.
Shrewsbury could have extended their lead on 66 minutes, but Asa Hall scooped a 15-yard shot over the bar. Then in the last minute of injury-time Luke Jones planted a header inches past the post.
It was the first time Macclesfield had won two games in succession all season and saw them climb one place in the league, while Shrewsbury, despite playing the better football, are in danger of being dragged back down into the relegation fight.