Shrewsbury 3 Hajduk Split 1

Last updated : 08 September 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Hot-shot Shrewsbury Town striker Luke Rodgers grabbed a hat-trick as the home side scored an astonishing 3-1 home win over ten-man Tamworth.

Rodgers, recently the subject of a big-money enquiry from first division Crewe, had given Shrewsbury a 64th minute lead in a game they looked to have in the bag.

Their cause was aided in the closing stages, when the visitors were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of defender Dave Robinson following on off the ball clash with Shrews' defender Greg Rioch - but in the 89th minute it looked like Shrewsbury would come to rue a host of wasted opportunities, when Rioch deflected a centre into his own net as Tamworth seemed set to claim an unlikely point.

But they were on terms for just 60 seconds as Rodgers crashed home his second in the 90th minute - before completing a superb hat-trick in stoppage time as Shrewsbury climbed into second place in the Conference table.

Despite dominating for long periods of the first half, Shrewsbury were unable to find a way through a resolute Tamworth defence and when the visitors backline was breached goalkeeper Phil Whitehead was on hand to thwart Shrewsbury who saw Rodgers and strike partner Colin Cramb both go close in the first half.

The second half was a similar tale, but Shrewsbury's pressure finally paid off in the 64th minute when Rodgers pounced on some hesitancy in the Tamworth rearguard to slot home his second goal of the season - sliding the ball under Whitehead from eight yards.

Despite more pressing, Shrewsbury were unable to add to their tally - and after Robinson was ordered off for violent conduct in the 86th minute, the points looked secure.

But when Rioch bundled a centre from substitute Joe Hannay into his own net with a minute left, it appeared the teams would share the spoils from what had been a one-sided encounter.

But Rodgers had other ideas - and smashed Shrewsbury back in front from six yards in the 90th minute, with the outcome finally put beyond doubt 90 seconds later as Rodgers completed his hat-trick with a goal almost identical to his first.