Oxford United 0-2 Shrewsbury Town

James Collins scored his 11th goals of the season against Oxford

First-half efforts from James Collins and Mark Ellis put Shrewsbury top of League Two on goal difference with victory at Oxford United.

Collins opened the scoring in the 13th minute from Scott Vernon's cross.

Danny Hylton headed off the line at a corner to deny Shrewsbury a second but Ellis nodded home Liam Lawrence's cross at the far post for 2-0.

Hylton saw a low shot parried by Jayson Leutwiler and Nathaniel Knight-Percival headed against the bar for the Shrews.

Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"We are delighted to be on top of the league - but there is an awful lot of work yet to be done. We have put in a good performance and we have to be pleased to come to a difficult place here at Oxford and get a good result.

"We made the sacrifice yesterday and came in to train - but we spent a bit of time going through preparing for this game and I thought the players who have come into the side today have done brilliantly.

"The players have proven to be ready when we needed them - at this stage of the season, we will need them. The defeat at Exeter was fresh in the mind and the players knew how to learn from that mistake.

"It's nice to be top of the league, it's very satisfying - but we certainly will enjoy the trip back home and training tomorrow ready for the game on Sunday."