Alfie May has scored 13 goals for Birmingham City this season - 12 of them in the league
Runaway leaders Birmingham City edged a step closer to automatic promotion with a comfortable win in Michael Appleton's first game in charge of Shrewsbury Town.
With nine games left, Chris Davies's EFL Trophy finalists are now within four wins of promotion - nine points clear of second-placed Wrexham and 12 better off than third-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
It was one-way traffic from start to finish as Keshi Anderson rifled an angled half volley a foot over the bar, before top scorer Jay Stansfield's rising shot was saved by goalkeeper Jamal Blackman in a one-on-one.
Willum Willumsson curled off target before Kieran Dowell blazed over after Anderson found Willumsson, then cleverly dummied the return.
Ben Davies finally gave Blues a deserved lead in the 27th minute, sliding home Dowell's curling free-kick unmarked from six yards for his first goal for the club.
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Marc Leonard's drive then deflected behind off Aaron Pierre to maintain Blues' dominance on boss Chris Davies's 50th game in charge.
Laird made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, glancing home Leonard's cross unmarked.
Alfie May was then also unmarked when he tapped home fellow substitute Emil Hansson's cross, after 77 minutes.
May grabbed his second after 86 minutes, after following on to a Louis Harris through ball to round Blackman.
Shrewsbury substitute Vadaine Oliver then headed Town's consolation goal a minute later - the visitors' only effort of the game.
After his first game in charge following the abrupt departure of Gareth Ainsworth, Appleton's Shrewsbury remain 14 points adrift of safety but with just eight games left and only 24 points to play for.
They now travel to third-placed Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Report supplied by PA Media.
