Five things to take from Shrewsbury Town's derby stalemate
Shrewsbury Town's draw with Port Vale might not have been the most entertaining game of football in the world, but what should you take from the result?
There's a lack of firepower
Town created plenty of of openings but were guilty of passing up good opportunities.
AJ Leitch-Smith spurned a chance in either half while the hosts' best one fell to their centre-half and skipper Adam El-Abd.
Ivan Toney and Leitch-Smith are both decent footballers but lack the ruthlessness in front of goal to fire Salop from the foot of League One.
With the goal-shy Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and George Waring, who haven't netted this term, kicking their heels on the bench, Hurst's options are lacking.
Salop are tightening up
The shutout against rivals Vale was Hurst's fourth in seven games.
Considering Town's record of just one all season before the former Grimsby chief's appointment, it is a fine record.
Port Vale were not the most imaginative attacking outfit Shrewsbury have faced this season but Town limited them well and the centre-half pairing of El-Abd and Mat Sadler again proved a solid base.
Town are yet to concede at home under Hurst and these kind of defensive stats are encouraging.
No guarantees for goalkeepers
Jayson Leutwiler returned between the sticks after Mark Halstead had briefly claimed the number one shirt.
Leutwiler was away on international duty with Canada for the first time and Halstead took his chance at Sheffield United with a superb display.
A costly error at Fleetwood allowed Leutwiler back in and despite the Swiss-born shot-stopper performing well, Hurst insisted he hasn't decided on a number one and that both keepers are fighting for a first team spot.
Paul Hurst has width at last
The Town boss was finally able to field an orthodox 4-4-2 set-up with wingers – of sorts – on either flank.
Junior Brown, who arrived at the club as a recognised winger but has featured at full-back, hugged the left wing while Louis Dodds was deployed on the right.
Dodds did well in the first period but faded while much of Town's good attacking came through Brown.
Overlaps and crosses are what Hurst craves and this was a blueprint on how he sees his Shrewsbury team set up.
There's midfield steel
Summer acquisition Gary Deegan has almost been an ever-present under both Micky Mellon and Hurst and has divided opinion between supporters.
There was no doubting his input on Saturday as a man of the match display won the appreciation of Greenhous Meadow.
Particularly in a high-intensity first half, Deegan won every challenge and was essential in Town recovering possession.
If he can keep form levels consistent, the Dubliner could prove an astute signing.
