Analysis: Super Shrewsbury supporters steal the show in Seasiders stalemate

Salop’s party by the seaside was a sight and sound to behold. Hawaiian attire, beachwear and inflatables aplenty, the away end was a sea of colour and noise for 90 minutes non-stop in one of the finest followings Shrewsbury have enjoyed for a few years.

There was a match played, too. A largely dull one, another in which there was nothing at stake in terms of League One reward for Town.

It ended 1-1 and will only be remembered for Sam Jones’ first goal in blue and amber, another refereeing howler and the incredible atmosphere.

Even a drab encounter did little to silence the Town faithful who chanted their hearts out all game. Paul Hurst’s men will need to take a similar backing into the play-off semi-finals in a couple of weeks – it could really make the difference with such a prize on the line.

Shrews enjoyed an okay first half that they grew into. Jones’ fine strike 20 minutes in was the highlight and only effort on Blackpool’s goal of note.

It wasn’t a totally cohesive Shrewsbury performance but that should be expected with yet more changes – six in total from the previous win over Peterborough.

There was no place in the squad for regulars this season Toto Nsiala, Ben Godfrey and James Bolton, who were rested.

Town did enough to edge ahead. Christoffer Mafoumbi in the hosts’ goal did not cover himself in glory for Jones’ goal – his first goal since joining from Grimsby – but it was still some strike.

Again, as in recent outings, there was something of a contrast to the other 45 minutes as Town came out sluggishly in the second period and didn’t get going.

Blackpool had enough chances to win it on another day and would have if not for the brilliance of Craig MacGillivray – again deputising for regular stopper Dean Henderson.

His save from Kelvin Mellor on 90 minutes was astonishing and one of Town’s saves of the season, even MacGillivray admitted he had no idea how he saved it.

There is no doubt the stand-in goalkeeper has done himself no harm in giving Hurst a play-off headache and pushing his claim for a new contract in the summer.

The former Walsall shot-stopper’s clean sheet was only ruined by a controversial equaliser.

MacGillivray had just made a smart stop to keep out former Town man Jimmy Ryan before a right-side cross was headed on by a Tangerine shirt and ex-Villa man Nathan Delfouneso nodded in from close range. Players from both teams turned to referee Martin Coy’s assistant, who gave himself 10 seconds to think before raising his flag, presumably for offside.

Mr Coy and the players charged over for another minute of deliberation before overruling his perfectly-placed assistant.

It was a horrible pause, one akin to waiting for VAR to make a decision. No-one knew what was happening. And it was not the first questionable decision against Town, which left assistant Chris Doig seething afterwards, but he was wary of saying too much for the risk of getting into trouble.

What was also made clear from Doig is that Town must improve in the final game against MK Dons and in the play-offs. These ‘trial’ fixtures have brought patches of decent play but not enough.

Perhaps a return of a familiar XI will bring some consistency. Anyway, it was a day for the fans on the north west coast. A following the whole club can be proud of.