League Two - Richard Walker scored twice and Sammy Igoe added a third as Bristol Rovers defeated 10-man Shrewsbury 3-1 in the League Two play-off final.

Stuart Drummond gave Shrewsbury a wonderful start with a glancing header which opened the scoring in the third minute.

But the Pirates were soon back on terms through Walker who netted from close range before a precisely weighted chip left Shrews goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie despairing and Rovers in front by half-time.

Shrews winger Marc Tierney was sent off by referee Michael Jones following a late challenge on Stuart Campbell in the 88th minute which earned him a second yellow card and the Town's misery was completed when Igoe slotted deep into injury time.

Before kick-off Shrews were forced into an enforced change as right-back Luke Jones, who was named on the teamsheet to start, sustained a knee injury during the warm-up.

Gay Meadow chief Gary Peters drafted Ben Herd - only back in training this week after an ankle injury and not initially among the matchday 16 - as Jones' replacement. Nevertheless, Shrewsbury were soon on the attack as Danny Hall charged forward but fired wide from 18 yards inside the first minute.

And in the third minute Shrews went in front when Drummond headed Neil Ashton's right-wing free-kick towards the far post where Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips' fingertips failed to prevent the opener.

But Rovers were level in the 21st minute after full-back Ryan Green, following a sharp combination with Craig Disley, made the byline and crossed from the right for Walker who stabbed home at the near post.

Next, Andy Cooke went close for Shrews following Derek Asamoah's right-wing centre but Walker - put through by Lewis Haldane - struck again 10 minutes before the break when he sprang the Town offside trap and produced a perfect chip from the left channel over MacKenzie.

Both sides ran out unchanged for the start of the second half which opened with Shrews again on the attack as Michael Symes met Ashton's long throw from the right with a looping header collected by Phillips.

Then, in the 55th minute, Herd lunged in to deny Haldane , who had cut in off the Rovers right after being sent clear by Walker.

On the hour, a last-ditch Steve Elliott tackle denied Drummond just as he prepared to pull the trigger inside the Rovers penalty area before Walker went for his hat-tick with a volley on the turn dispatched well over the bar.

With 15 minutes remaining Shrews threatened again though Asamoah's close-range effort being denied by Phillips' outstretched leg following a left-wing cross from Tierney.

A minute from time Tierney was dismissed for a second bookable offence, a late challenge which left Campbell sprawling.

Then, in added time, Igoe raced from his own half to score after MacKenzie had left his net unattended to go upfield for a corner at the other end.

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