Fabrizio Cavegn hat-trick ends Bristol Rovers’ 13-game winless run at Shrewsbury

Bristol Rovers ended a 13-game winless run in emphatic fashion as Fabrizio Cavegn bagged a hat-trick to secure a crucial 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury at the Croud Meadow.

The striker’s treble earned Rovers a vital three points and condemned the Shrews to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Shrewsbury started brightly and went close in the seventh minute when Isaac England fired just over from the edge of the box.

John Marquis then missed a gilt-edged chance 14 minutes later, breaking clear but striking the outside of a post with only goalkeeper Luke Southwood to beat.

Rovers were largely restricted to half-chances before the interval, with efforts from Kamil Conteh and Shaq Forde blocked as the sides went in level at half-time.

The hosts began on the front foot after the restart, Marquis denied by Southwood when through on goal, while at the other end, Will Brook produced a smart save to keep out Forde.

But it was Cavegn who broke the deadlock after 63 minutes when he capitalised on a terrible defensive error.

He made the game safe in the 88th minute before completing his hat-trick in added time, sealing Rovers’ first League Two win since September as frustration boiled over among the home supporters.