Derby game ends in drama

Saturday 25th November 2006, 1:38PM GMT.

Tempers flared after the final whistle at Gay Meadow this afternoon as players tangled on the pitch and in the tunnel, bringing an ugly end to a hard-fought derby clash.

Review the action minute-by-minute here

Trouble erupted after Shrewsbury Town snatched a dramatic last minute 2-1 win with a hotly disputed penalty.

Players clashed on the pitch and in the tunnel and town captain Sagi Burton was sent off in the melee.

But thousands of rival football fans were praised for their good behaviour after the trouble free build up to this afternoon’s game against Chester City.

More than 100 police officers were on patrol in the town centre as an estimated 750 Chester fans arrived at Gay Meadow for the midday kick-off.

Kick-off was brought forward to midday after discussions between the clubs and police.

Before the match began Shrewsbury boss Gary Peters helped ground staff at Gay Meadow prepare the pitch after thousands of litres of water was pumped away from the playing surface. Chief Inspector Martin Whitelegg, of Shrewsbury Police, said: “It has all been fairly quiet. An early kick-off always helps though.”