Shrewsbury 0 Swansea 0

Last updated : 05 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Shrewsbury Town and fellow strugglers Swansea City shared the spoils from a goalless encounter at Gay Meadow this afternoon - a result that does little to ease the relegation worries of either side.

This dour, untidy encounter was a game both sides needed to win, but neither could afford to lose. So ultimately a draw was the right result.

Without a win in their last six matches, Shrewsbury boss Kevin Ratcliffe handed debuts to three of his four deadline day signings in a bid to boost his side's survival chances - but while the home team created the most clear cut chances, they missed suspended strikers Luke Rodgers and skipper Nigel Jemson.

Indeed, the 1500 or so visiting Swansea fans had precious little to cheer in the way of chances carved out by their side - with the Swans failing to muster a worthwhile effort in the entire 90 minutes.

But with Swansea stretching their unbeaten record to four games, they will feel slightly happier at the way the afternoon ended.

In the early stages, Shrewsbury debutant, Steve Watts got his head to a Steve Jagielka cross, but the former Leyton Orient man nodded inches wide.

Swans keeper Neil Cutler then saved well from David Artell and another Shrewsbury newboy, Scott Partridge, as they had much the better of a ragged opening 45 minutes - during which Swansea in reply could only manage a Steve Watkin snapshot that flew a foot wide.

After the break, Cutler had to be alert to thwart further efforts from Steve Jagielka and Artell, but as the game drew to a close, both sides appeared to settle for a point, with the last ten minutes a tame stalemate.

Although a draw was enough to take Shrewsbury out of the drop zone, they now face a crunch derby against near-neighbours Wrexham at Gay Meadow on Wednesday night - a game crucial for both , but for very different reasons, as the Welsh side still have eyes on an automatic promotion burst.