Shrewsbury Town in search for spark after Walsall loss - match analysis and pictures

Craig Westcarr's early goal proved enough to sink Mike Jackson's shot-shy side who remain deep in trouble in the League One relegation zone.

The only saving grace for Town in their desperate battle for survival was offered by results elsewhere which still leaves the door ajar for them to yet complete a 'Great Escape'.

Town would have made the short journey home knowing there remains everything to play for in their scrap to exit the bottom four – but they will also be aware they will need to show far more going forward than they did against Walsall.

Given their precarious position at the wrong end of the table, the Banks's Stadium was probably the last place they wanted to be sent at this stage of the campaign.

And, depressingly, this game followed a now all too familiar script at the home of the Saddlers where Town have now lost seven successive matches in all competitions.

Not since a Dean Spink goal clinched a 1-0 win en route to fourth tier title glory under Fred Davies 20 years ago have trips to this corner of the West Midlands brought anything but disappointment.

That was the story once more as Walsall forged an early lead through Westcarr's opportunism and that was sufficient to steer Dean Smith's side to within two points of the play-off places.

In many ways, this was an accurate snap-shot of just why Shrewsbury find themselves where they are in the table.

Apart from the early blemish so emphatically punished by Westcarr, Town defended competently enough and there was no doubting their work rate.

But, as is so often the case this season, it all fizzled out in the final third, so much so that Walsall goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell was never seriously extended with little for the 503 travelling supporters to get excited about.

Town have failed to score in all five of their away matches since Dave McAllister's late winner at Notts County last month, having now drawn blanks at Coventry, Wolves, Colchester, Carlisle and Walsall.

That's a bleak return which just has to be brought to an end the next time Town hit the road to Tranmere a week on Saturday. Coming in between two equally vital home games against Stevenage and Crewe, it has to.

Safety remains tantalisingly within reach thanks to largely favourable results elsewhere at the weekend which leave Shrewsbury sitting two points adrift of safety with six games to play.

"Maybe the God's are smiling on us a little bit," said manager Mike Jackson, admitting it was a relief to hear Crewe had lost, Stevenage had drawn and that the clash between Tranmere and Carlisle had ended goalless.

But the time has now come for Town to start to help themselves instead of having to be thankful for helping hands from other teams.

Jackson opted to revisit the formation which had worked so well the last time Town ventured across the Midlands, to Molineux earlier this month, by recalling Joe Jacobson as a third central defender to try and combat Walsall.

It was a system which had proved a success in frustrating Wolves, but Walsall had no such problems finding a way through with Westcarr striking the decisive blow inside the opening five minutes.

The striker, later to be sent off, was allowed time and space to turn just outside the penalty area and his low shot took a deflection off boyhood Walsall fan Ryan Woods on its way to the bottom corner of the net for his 15th goal of the season.

Town had a great chance to pull level almost immediately when Asa Hall flicked on a corner from Joseph Mills only for Connor Goldson to blaze over from close range.

Town, who have now lost eight matches this season 1-0, were to go no closer to grabbing an equaliser as their lack of a cutting edge in the final third was again highlighted.

With wingers Jon Taylor, the club's seven-goal top-scorer, and Paul Parry both dropping down to the bench to implement the 3-5-2 formation, Town were often off the pace as an attacking force with much of their approach play laboured and predictable.

As a result, Walsall had few anxious moments in registering a clean sheet as they had plenty of time to pull men back behind the ball whenever Town occasionally suggested they might be capable of mounting a response.

Jackson felt his side's energy levels were not as high as usual after a run of seven games in 21 days and they were devoid of a creative spark when they most needed it.

Front two Shaun Miller and Sam Foley, selected ahead of the rested Tom Eaves, were left to feed on scraps.

Midfield man Hall fired a shot narrowly wide just before the interval but it was an isolated threat from the visitors with Walsall keeper O'Donnell not once called into serious action in the second half.

Referee Robert Madley took centre stage by sending off a player from each side within nine minutes of the second period.

Town left wing-back Mills, on loan from Burnley, was the first to go just past the hour.

Mills had been one of Shrewsbury's better performers until he lunged for the ball after it got away from him and caught James Chambers, a challenge Mr Madley deemed worthy of a straight red card.

The resulting ban is a blow to both player and club given Mills has improved each game he's played since arriving from Turf Moor last month.

Walsall did their best to utilise their extra man and nearly added to their lead but Joe Anyon impressively diverted Febian Brandy's close range effort up and over the bar and also held on to a header from former Town loanee Romaine Sawyers.

Town's hopes of a fightback were lifted when the contest became a 10-a-side affair after Westcarr lost his cool.

Having been treated by the physio after being on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Joe Jacobson, Westcarr suddenly leapt back to his feet and reacted angrily by appearing to aim a headbutt at Foley. The red card which followed was a formality.

Town huffed and puffed in the closing stages, with on loan Wolves youngster Dominic Iorfa enjoying a bright debut at right wing-back, but there was to be no grandstand finish as Walsall made it a hat-trick of wins over Shrewsbury this season.

Town now face three successive crunch games, starting with Stevenage at home this weekend, which will make or break their survival battle.

The stakes could not be any higher.