Match Report | Shrewsbury 0-0 Barnet

Gavin Cowan picked up a point in his first game as Shrewsbury boss following a goalless draw with Barnet.

In what was a tight game throughout, both teams had chances to snatch all three points.

For Salop, Mal Benning and Tom Sang each went close on two occassions.

Adam Senior, Danny Collinge and Nnamdi Ofoborth all threatened for the visitors.

But in the end the spoils were shared at the Croud Meadow.

Team news:

Cowan’s first XI as Shrewsbury Town boss saw six changes from the team that took on Cambridge.

The side set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with keeper Matt Cox starting in goal with Will Boyle, Sam Stubbs and Josh Ruffels making up the back three.

Mal Benning and Luca Hoole operated at wing-back with Nick Freeman and Sam Clucas in the middle of the park.

Anthony Scully was deployed in the 10 role with George Lloyd and captain John Marquis in attack.

Barnet lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with talisman Kabongo Tshimanga supported by midfielders Ryan Glover and Idris Kanu.

Report:

In what was a quiet opening half-hour, Cox made two routine stops to deny Nnamdi Ofoborth from distance.

The keeper was then forced into an excellent one-handed save when Adam Senior collected a cross in the box.

The defender arrowed a strike towards the top corner. But the Brentford loanee was equal to it - and flung himself across his goal to keep it out.

Salop had a couple of chances towards the end of the first half - with Benning and Stubbs both nodding wide.

Benning then announced his return to the starting line up with a powerful effort from 25 yards, however that was claimed by the keeper ensuring it remained goalless going into half-time.

The second half started with more energy, with both sides getting chances after the break.

Just after the hour mark, Town made a double change, Morgan replacing Marquis and Scully making way for Perry.

A close effort from Collinge ricocheted off the outside netting as The Bees increased pressure on the Salop defence. On the 69th Minute, Benning was replaced by Sang.

Browne had a close shot inside the box on the 74th minute, blasting over the crossbar in another dangerous move.

There was another double switch for Salop in the 76th minute, as McDermott and Kabia entered play for Freeman and Lloyd. 60 seconds later, Tom Sang drilled the ball into the box, narrowly missing.

A fantastic Town break in the 86th minute saw Tom Sang’s effort tipped away for a corner.

Shrewsbury fought off a late attacking momentum from Barnet in five minutes of added time, sealing a well-earned clean sheet in Gavin Cowan’s first game in charge.

TEAMS:

Shrewsbury: Cox, Hoole, Benning (Sang 69), Boyle, Clucas, Lloyd (Kabia 76), Scully (Perry 61), Freeman (McDermott 76), Ruffels, Stubbs, Marquis (Morgan 61).

Subs not used: Brook, Anderson

Barnet: Slicker, Collinge, Senior (Browne 61), Kanu, Glover (Assombalonga 88), Hartigan, Shelton, Tshimanga, Tavares, Ofoborh (Jaiyesimi 61), Kizzi.

Subs not used: Evans, Hawkins, Chinedu, Adeniran

Attendance: 5,075 (191 away).