Blackpool 0 Shrewsbury 0 - Report and pictures

Sam Ricketts’ men were the better team but could not find the killer touch, as Josh Laurent in particular saw a number of chances come and go.

Despite their dominance, Town could have lost it late on as Chris Long cracked the crossbar but it finished in a second goalless draw between the teams this season.

It was another draw Shrewsbury should have won under Ricketts, but they had to settle for a point, meaning the chasing pack again closed the gap.

Town fielded the 3-5-2 system that worked so well at Stoke but there was no repeat of the end product seen in Staffordshire.

However, particularly in the first period, the formation worked very well as Town played easy on the eye football, carving out the hosts, who were unable to live with Salop.

New boy Sam Smith came off for his debut with 15 minutes to go but could not spark his side on to a win - as they remain with one victory in eight under Ricketts.

Ricketts' men still have the worst away record in League One.

Analysis

It was in danger of being a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Town, coming from their heroic, memorable display at the Bet365 to another largely empty stadium - but this time with a far smaller attendance.

Due to their well-written financial problems, the Seasiders were backed by barely a couple of thousand supporters at what felt like a soulless Bloomfield Road.

The 500 or so travelling Salopians that braved the Fylde coast chill tried to make up for it, led by the booming drum, ahead of kick-off.

Supporters wondered whether Ricketts would keep faith with the XI - in a 3-5-2 formation - that led the charge from 2-0 down in that second half fightback in the Potteries.

And Town did line up in that system, with Omar Beckles in from the off as part of a back three alongside Luke Waterfall and skipper Mat Sadler.

Midfielder Ollie Norburn, suspended at Stoke, came back into the four-man central midfield that operated behind striker Fejiri Okenabirhie.

The hosts, who were without a win against Shrewsbury in nine games, were significantly boosted by the return from injury of former AFC Telford United defender Curtis Tilt - a player courted by the higher divisions.

In a relatively new system, there was intrigued as to how Shrews would shape up and began the Bloomfield Road contest.

And the first 10 minutes made for extremely good viewing from a Town point of view. The midfield was working perfectly in tandem as Town flew forward, with Blackpool unable to get to grip with Salop’s shape.

Laurent, match-winner at Stoke, partnered Greg Docherty as an advanced midfield duo with Anthony Grant acting as a shield and the recalled Norburn busy as ever in both directions.

Laurent’s running was a nuisance, he was found over the top early on, but Ben Heneghan mopped up admirably. The midfielder’s second moment was bigger, 10 minutes in, but he scuffed a sitter after being picked out by James Bolton’s accurate cut-back.

Shrewsbury’s football was easy on the eye and proving effective. But they weren’t relying entirely on neat patterns.

Left wing-back Ryan Haynes launched a long throw into a packed area, Waterfall nodded it on well and Laurent diverted to goal but Christopher Mafoumbi held on. It was a well-rehearsed Town routine.

Laurent was proving a thorn to Blackpool. He was forced wide on his weaker left foot but a rasping drive was narrowly off target. The opportunity hailed from the intense work rate from Norburn, who was pressing Blackpool players’ every step and winning the ball superbly.

Beckles, on the right side of the centre-back trio, was starting in League One for the first time in over a month and slotted in nicely as the visitors - all in black - repelled everything that came their way.

The defence were ganging up on lone forward Armand Gnanduillet and giving him little hope, while Steve Arnold’s punches were convincing when required.

The half flew by with Town easily holding the upperhand, but at the sound of the half-time whistle, Ricketts would have been slightly disappointed his side didn’t have the advantage they merited.

The second period settled down into a similar pattern as the first, but Blackpool showed a threat through Jordan Thompson - however Jay Spearing’s free-kick from near the corner flag, which flew out of play on the far side - rather summed up their display.

Blackpool were their own worst enemy on the hour. Spearing’s hospital pass was gathered by Laurent who charged one-on-one into the Seagulls’ box but he squandered a real chance with a tame finish after getting in a muddle.

There was a fear that Ricketts’ men would be made to pay for their inability to turn dominance into a lead.

And that was fractions away from being the case close to midway in the second period as powerful forward Gnanduillet met a right-sided cross, climbing above the Town defence, to head over from eight yards out. It was a big let off.

But a familiar theme was continuing as Town again threatened for Laurent, who had spurned a number of presentable openings on what was not his day in front of goal.

Grant’s dogged work was essential in setting up the latest break, but his fellow midfielder could not capitalise. Grant then went down softly in the box, looking for a spot-kick, and referee James Linington duly waved away.

Ricketts decided it was time for changes to help spark his side on to a winner with 15 minutes to play.

He sent for debut forward Sam Smith and winger Alex Gilliead, withdrawing Okenabirhie and Laurent.

While it felt like the visitors were the ones forcing the issue, with Blackpool content at 0-0 - the Tangerines were inches from winning it late on.

Out of nowhere on the break, forward Chris Long smashed the crossbar with a 20 yard rocket from his left foot. The woodwork was still rattling as Gnanduillet headed wide from the next phase.

A winner was not to be as a low-key afternoon, in front of not many more than 3,000, ended goalless.

Key moments

11 - Big early chance for the busy Josh Laurent. Good football, Greg Docherty finds James Bolton on the right byline and his low cross was perfect for Laurent who mis-hit his finish.

17 - Ryan Haynes’ long throw is flicked on by Luke Waterfall and Laurent stabs goalward but Christopher Mafoumbi can claim.

23 - Good hit this time from Laurent. Just off target with his left foot from a good strike after Ollie Norburn stole in to win the ball superbly.

48 - Blackpool’s best effort of the match as Jordan Thompson hits a well-struck long shota few feet wide, but Steve Arnold had it covered.

57 - Flurry of Salop attempts from distance as Norburn’s low strike is deflected wide before Laurent’s first-time volley is well-hit but comfortably wide.

65 - Big chance for the Seasiders. Gnanduillet can’t head home from close-ranger after meeting a cross powerfully. Let off.

81 - Chris Long’s rocket from outside the box smashes the crossbar as Salop are fortunate to survive.

Teams

Blackpool (4-3-3): Mafoumbi; Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola; Spearing ©, Thompson, Guy (Pritchard, 66); Long (O’Sullivan, 84), Gnanduillet, Feeney.

Subs not used: Boney (gk), Anderton, Delfouneso, Nottingham, Kirby.

Shrewsbury Town (3-5-2): Arnold; Waterfall, Beckles, Sadler ©; Bolton, Grant, Norburn, Haynes, Laurent (Gilliead, 74), Docherty; Okenabirhie (Smith, 74).

Subs not used: Charles-Cook (gk), Angol, Amadi-Holloway, Eisa, Sears.

Referee: James Linington

Attendance: 3,186 (516 Shrewsbury fans)

Position in the table: 17th (31 points from 28 games)

Man of the match: Ollie Norburn - Returned from suspension and played well.