Shrewsbury 1 Athletico Gramanet 1

Last updated : 09 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Shrewsbury Town made a blistering start to life in the Conference, but in the near 100 degree heat of a baking Gay Meadow were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Margate.

After dropping out of the Football League four months ago, there have been a major changes at Shrewsbury, with newly-installed boss Jimmy Quinn bringing in eight new players.

With the despondency of last term now a distant memory, the mood at Gay Meadow has been distinctly upbeat as a new campaign drew near, so there will be frustration with an open day share of the spoils against one of the lesser lights of the Conference, particularly as Shrewsbury let victory slip with just three minutes left.

Steve Watts had headed the home side into an 17th minute lead and his first league goal for the club looked set to secure victory for the home side, but in the closing moments experienced Conference campaigner Warren Patmore nodded a leveller for Margate, to give the Kent side a point their battling performance deserved.

In the sweltering sunshine Shrewsbury quickly gained the upper hand and after hot-shot striker Luke Rodgers had twice gone close, an unmarked Watts was on hand to home from ten yards, converting an-inch perfect cross from man of the match Jamie Tolley.

Welsh Under-21 international Tolley, a rising star who Shrewsbury thought they may lose following their relegation to the Conference, continued to pull the strings as Shrewsbury continued to dominate, but further chances for Watts and Rodgers failed to bring the all-important second goal.

In the intense heat, the pace of the match not surprisingly dropped as the second half unfolded, but the part-timers from Margate stuck to their task and after missing with an easier headed chance a few moments earlier, Patmore made amends with a looping header in the 83rd minute to ensure honours ended even.