Martin Paterson made a scoring return to the Potteries but couldn't prevent City's reserves from suffering defeat at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

The 19-year-old, who has just returned from a three month loan spell at League Two side Grimsby, had pulled the second string level after Luke Jones' opener for the visitors.

Elliot Bent put Shrewsbury in the driving seat before the break, while two goals in the space of three minutes from Michael Jones and Tom Moss after the break, put the Potters to the sword.

First team coach Mark O'Connor took charge of the second string following the departure of Noel Blake and fielded a young side.

The Shrews were out of the boxes the quicker of the two sides, with Michael Symes providing an early test for 'keeper Russell Hoult.

But Hoult was beaten soon after when Chris Humphrey's cross found the head of Luke Jones at the near post and he made no mistake.

Adam Rooney almost forced a quick response for the Potters, but he could only turn Jimmy Phillips' corner wide of the post.

But Paterson levelled the scores on the half hour mark, tucking away a spot kick after he had been shoved in the back by Danny Hall.

The lead lasted less than a minute though, as Bent nodded home Steve Leslie's deep cross.

After the break, the Potters had the better of the play and went close to producing an equaliser firstly through Adam Vass and then the lively Paterson.

But City were undone inside three minutes when Michael Jones (penalty) and Moss added the final touches to the scoreline.

Phillips should have grabbed a consolation with two minutes remaining following good work from Paterson and Hayden Doyle, but misfired inside the box.