Town 0 - 0 Shrewsbury

It's now nine away games without defeat - equalling the Club record as previewed on the Official Site earlier.  And as an anonymous poster on the Official Messageboard had noted, Town had gone 18 matches without conceding a first-half goal ... and maintained that record in this game!

Illness and injury had disrupted the Town line-up with Kalala, Croft and Parkinson not appearing - though Croft was named on the bench. Russell Slade was also ill and so Graham Rodger took charge at Gay Meadow, where the Shrewsbury team matched the Mariners as top-dogs in the current form table.

In the first five minutes the teams probed one another without asking too many questions, and Cohen gave away a free kick which was dealt with comfortably.

Town won the first corn of the game after Gritton had found Reddy in a threatening position, and when it came over Jones' header was cleared off the line, and when it came out Cohen tried his luck with his shot being diverted for another corner.

Newey got to the goal-line and won another corner for the Mariners, and this time Jones got the ball back across the goal towards Gritton who could get any meaningful contact on the ball.

After 16 minutes Referee Melin gave a penalty perhaps for something that Rob Jones was adjudged to have done, and when McMenamin stepped up, Mildenhall got down smartly to save well and see that justice was done.

Jones fouled Duane Darby, but as soon as the kick came across Whittle was held down and the threat disappeared. Town then won a free kick, with Gritton meeting the ball as the keeper caught both the Town man and the ball.

Town won another corner as Toner's shot was deflected out, this time a Justin Whittle volley being hit wide.

Cohen did well following a throw, eventually managing to thread the ball through to Simon Francis whose shot cleard the stand.

With Langley lurking, Tom Newey did well to clear the ball for a Shrewsbury throw-in, and the next time Shrewsbury attacked Toner leant into the attacker, and within a minute Rob Jones was injured in a tackle with Duane Darby.

Toner did well when Shrewsbury t5hreatened five minutes from the half-time whistle, conceding a corner, which after some play round the box was comfortably collected by Mildenhall.

Shrewsbury won another corner with 90 seconds to half-time, which came to nought when Sorvel blasted well wide of the target.

Reddy and Gritton combined as they raced upfield, and Reddy's shot was deflected but saved well by the keeper, 18 year old Joe Hart.

As the Referee blew his whistle, it was another first half where the Mariners had held out against the opposition.

Half-time: Town 0 - 0 Shrewsbury

There were no changes at half-time, and the first action came on 47 minutes when Sorvel's shot was diverted wide, with Town clearing the corner.

Langley hit the ball against Toner to gain a corner for the home side, from the clearance Reddy went on a trademark run, and he left the entire Shrewsbury defence was left in his wake, and as he closed in on goal it took a great save from the Shrewsbury keeper to deny the Town striker.

Gritton fired in a shot, which was wide, after 60 minutes with Town coming back into the game.

Newey took Town's next free-kick and found Rob Jones' head with the ball being diverted just wide.

Reddy and Gritton were prowling again, with Francis and McDermott helping out, but Macca centred behind the goal.

Halfway through the half Town brought on Gary Jones for Martin Gritton.

Francis bundled down McMenamin just outside the box, and fortunately the home side wasted the free kick.

Shrewsbury replaced Darby with Ben Smith with just 15 minutes left to go.

Cohen sprinted forward and slid the ball to Francis, but again there was an interception to stop the Mariners progress.

With 10 minutes to go Stallard came on for Shrewsbury with Langmead going off.

Ashton conceded a free-kick when confronted by Reddy, and the Mariners big men went forward but Newey put his kick into the keeper's hands, and then Mildenhall collected comfortably at the opposite end.

With 85 minutes on the clock, Shrewsbury gained another free-kick but failed to test Town's keeper.

Barwick came on after 86 minutes, replacing Gary Cohen.

Town gained yet another free-kick 35 yards out, and with the big men up again, Rob Jones met the kick and headed over.

Sorvel picked up the first yellow of the game right on full-time, but three minutes of time was added and Whittle directed his header about 5 yards wide.

Grimsby gained another free-kick, but this time Hart gained the ball and a free-kick.

Francis was booked in the last minute of time added on, becoming only the second booking in 5 matches.

Full-time: Town 0 - 0 Shrewsbury