Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Crawley Town: Salop secure point on the road

A solid Shrewsbury Town stopped the rot on the road with a battling goalless draw at Crawley Town.

Salop had lost their previous three away games in League Two but dug in against a Crawley side scrapping for survival to claim a hard-earned point.

The result, in their penultimate away fixture, continues their revival under Gavin Cowan, taking them to 48 points for the season with two matches remaining.

Despite creating fewer chances, Salop showed no signs of being on the beach after securing their Football League status.

Town’s best opportunity fell to George Lloyd, who blazed over from inside the box in the second half.

Isaac Lee was handed his debut as Cowan begins to turn his focus towards next season. The 22-year-old was the only change to the side that beat Oldham Athletic to secure League Two safety.

Tom Sang also returned from a hamstring injury, coming off the bench. Cowan now has a near fully fit squad, with Isaac England back in contention after illness, leaving Luca Hoole as the only absentee.

Making just his second consecutive start, Will Gray impressed again with his composure on the ball.

Meanwhile, Matt Cox produced an assured display between the sticks on his return to Crawley, where he previously spent time on loan.

He held Louie Watson’s early deflected effort and denied Harry McKirdy as Crawley enjoyed the majority of possession.

Debutant Lee was tasked with containing the dangerous McKirdy - who had scored eight league goals before kick-off - and the South Korean made several crucial tackles and clearances to frustrate the hosts.

Salop offered little attacking threat in the first half, with Taylor Perry’s volley comfortably saved.

Cox was called into action again, pushing away Harry Forster’s effort after John Marquis was dispossessed deep in his own half.

Salop remained resolute defensively. Bradley Ihionvien was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Sang, who made an immediate impact with a delivery for Marquis, whose header drifted wide.

Cox continued his impressive performance, denying Lewis Richards after Lee was caught in possession just outside the box, before producing a fine diving save to keep out Ryan Loft late on.

Perry remained Salop’s main attacking outlet, seeing another effort from distance saved.

The best chance fell to substitute Lloyd, who fired over from close range after excellent work by Iwan Morgan on the counter-attack.

Crawley pushed for a late winner but were unable to break through, with Louie Watson hitting the post, and Salop stood firm to secure a resilient point.

Lineup

Shrewsbury Town: Cox, Lee (Anderson, 75), Boyle, Ruffels, Kabia, Perry (freeman, 75), Gray (Scully, 71), Berkoe, Morgan, Marquis (Lloyd, 71), Ihionvien (Sang, 46).

Unused subs: Brook, Anderson, Stubbs, Freeman.