In a game neither side could afford to lose, scoring opportunities were at a premium as the teams toiled away to little effect with each goalkeeper having a relatively quiet evening.
For Shrewsbury - who registered a third match without a goal - manager Gary Peters gave a home debut to new signing Mike Sheron, but he was unable to make much headway against a resolute Cambridge defence and was withdrawn at the interval.
After the break, Peters replaced Sheron with Kelvin Langmead and although this brought some much needed urgency to the home side's front play, they were still unable to find a way past Cambridge goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The highlights of an otherwise forgettable first-half were a glancing header from Shrewsbury's on-loan Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson and a close-range header from Cambridge centre-back Adam Tann, that brought a smart save from Scott Howie in the Shrewsbury goal.
With the introduction of Langmead Shrewsbury quickly gained the upper hand and within 90 seconds of the restart had struck the woodwork. Welsh Under-21 international midfielder Jamie Tolley hit a post from close range after good work from Luke Rodgers and Sam Aiston.
At the other end a post came to Shrewsbury's rescue as impressive Cambridge midfielder Justin Walker beat Howie with a low 25-yard drive, but the ball rebounded to safety off the woodwork.
As the second half unfolded the pattern of the first returned and although Aiston fizzed a shot across face of goal and Cambridge substitute Ciaran Toner saw an effort land in the side netting, neither side looked capable of breaking the deadlock and a goalless draw was the likely outcome long before the final whistle.