Shrewsbury Town 1 Barnet 0

Last updated : 03 May 2004 By Footymad Previewer

After levelling the aggregate scores with a penalty kick shortly before half-time, Shrewsbury Town finally won this epic Conference play-off semi-final encounter on penalties - winning a spot-kick shootout against plucky Barnet 5-3.

While a Luke Rodgers spot-kick was the only goal in 120 minutes of play - levelling the scores after Barnet won 2-1 at Underhill on Thursday evening - neither side then missed with any of their first three penalties.

Colin Cramb then netted to give Shrewsbury a 4-3 advantage and with the pressure becoming almost unbearable, substitute Simon Clist stepped forward to take the visitors fourth kick - only to see his effort superbly saved by Shrews'keeper Scot Howie.

Shrewsbury full-back Darren Moss emerged to take Town's fifth penalty - which he duly scored to ensure a play-off final meeting for Jimmy Quinn's men against Aldershot at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium.

It was cruel luck for Barnet who finished the 120 minutes the stronger of two very tired teams.

Shrewsbury, however, had begun the match at full throttle, quickly seeking to overturn the first leg deficit. Rodgers and strike-partner Duane Darby had both brought fine saves from impressive Barnet goalkeeper Shane Gore, who further distinguished himself with a superb diving stop to thwart a Rodgers free-kick in the 41st minute.

But the ensuing corner was handled in the box by Liam Hatch and referee Pollock had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, allowing Rodgers to smash home the spot-kick.

Despite Shrewsbury going close on a number of occasions in the second half and right at the end of the first period of extra-time, when Gore saved brilliantly from Jamie Tolley, there was to be no further scoring until the penalty shootout.

Jake Sedgemore, Tolley and Rodgers scored for Shrewsbury while, Ben Strevens Giuliano Grazioli and Ismail Yakubu did likewise for Barnet.

But after Cramb put Shrewsbury ahead 4-3, Howie's heroics denied Clist - with Moss taking the Gay Meadow side ever closer to an immediate return to the Football League.