Record signing Grant Holt did the damage for the home side securing the points with just 11 minutes remaining to sentence newly-promoted Aldershot to their first league defeat of the new campaign, but in truth this was tough on Gary Waddock's men who dominated the second half of this often entertaining encounter.
The first meeting of the sides since their Conference Play-Off Final meeting at Stoke City four years ago, that Shrewsbury won by virtue of a penalty shoot-out, has seen many things change at both clubs and only two survivors remain from that day in May 2004 - Town's Darren Moss and Shots keeper Nicky Bull.
Bull was called into action within three minutes of the kick-off, making a fine diving save to thwart a fierce shot from Shrewsbury skipper Ben Davies.
As Shrewsbury took the upper hand in the early stages Holt twice went close to making a breakthrough, although the best chance of the half fell to substitute Dave Hibbert.
On the half hour mark, Hibbert, who had replaced the injured Richard Walker five minutes earlier, ran clear of the Aldershot defence only to side-foot wide from ten yards.
During the first half Aldershot had played some neat football without carrying a serious goal threat, but after the break prompted by young midfielder Scott Donnelly and striker Marvin Morgan they forced Shrewsbury on to the defensive and created a number of goalscoring opportunities.
Twice Ben Harding saw headers drift narrowly wide with the best opportunity of all falling to former Shrewsbury striker John Grant, who shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors were made to rue those missed chances when Holt ultimately settled the issue in the 79th minute. Davies escaped down the right and crossed to find the big striker, who skilfully guided his header past Bull and into the bottom corner of the net.
His second goal of the season made it three straight wins for Shrewsbury, who have yet to concede a league goal this term.