Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Carlisle United

Shrewsbury Town ended a run of three straight defeats by beating League Two's bottom club Carlisle United.

Defender Jermaine Grandison scored the only goal of the game just before half-time when he leapt highest to head in Nat Knight-Percival's cross.

Town kept Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie busy, while James Wesolowski and James Collins both spurned chances.

Carlisle then had caretaker player-manager Paul Thirlwell was sent off for a second yellow card late on.

After going unbeaten in this season's first seven matches, in all competitions, Shrewsbury had last their last three - at Preston (in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy), Hartlepool and Stevenage. But this was the start of three successive home games at the Meadow.

On Saturday, Shrewsbury host Newport County, before next Tuesday night's League Cup third round tie with Norwich City.

Managerless Carlisle remain bottom with just three points from eight games going into Saturday's trip to Mansfield.

Shrewsbury Town assistant manager Mike Jackson told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"Obviously, after you've lost your last two league games, things can get a bit edgy, but the three points were the most important thing.

"We had some good situations but just didn't make the most of them, but Jermaine Grandison's popped up with a great header.

"The stats are up where we need to be. It's just about putting that end-finish on - but I'm sure with the quality of players we've got it won't be a problem. It will come."