Shrewsbury Town fielded a side which included 10 professionals at St Georges Park.
GOAL: Shrewsbury's strong side didn't take long to pierce the Albion defence. A clevel ball through to Collins was well controlled before playing a one-two with Clarke before chipping it over Matthews.The Shrews nearly doubled their lead on 20 minutes at Slade missed his header to leave Collins through on goal who rounded Matthews in the Albion goal but Charles got back brilliantly to clear off the line.
GOAL: The lead was doubled just 6 minutes later. A corner from Clarke was flicked on by an Albion man which left Collins free at the back post to head home.
Matty Palmer had the best chance of the half with a 25-yard free kick. Really was the man fouled after a late tackle but Palmer's free kick sailed over the 'keepers bar.
HT: Burton Albion 0-2 Shrewsbury Town
Just the one change at half time. Darius Charles was replaced by Michael Pearson for the Brewers.
McAlinden turned the ball home for the Shrews after the ball came back across goal but the linesman already had his flag up.
Treble sub for the Brewers. Palmer, Joachim, Reilly OFF Sejdic, Hallahan, Coterill ON.
Collins found himself in acres of space in the box, he tried to find the roof of the net but Matthews tipped it well over the bar.
The fog lowered and lowered in the second half, making it hard for us to see but the game carried on. Numbers weren't visible but a Shrewsbury man volleyed way over from 3 yards, the ball never to be found.
James Caton came on for the Shrews as he replaced Ian Black.
GOAL: Collins completed his hat trick with 15 minutes left as he latched onto a Clarke cross to convert his third.
GOAL: Clarke then turned the scorer for their fourth as a great cross from Caton was turned home for Shrewsbury's fourth goal of the afternoon.
Whalley was close to adding a fifth as Caton was the provider again with an excellent cross but it was headed just over by the winger.
Caton really did tip the game on its head when he came on. He provided yet another cross for Collins who volleyed into the floor as Matthews watched it over.
FT: Burton Albion 0-4 Shrewsbury Town
Brewers XI: Matthews, Smith, Slade, Charles, O'Brien, Garnett, Palmer, Reilly, Austin, Joachim, Dinanga.
Brewers subs: (Unused): (Hornby), Hallahan, Sejdic, Pearson, Coterill.
Shrews XI: Burton, Trialist, Patterson, Sadler, Gerrard, Black, Whalley, McKnight, Collins, McAlinden, Clark.
Shrews subs: Grogan, Caton, Anderson, Jones, Gallagher.
Darius Charles makes his return at St George's Park