Shrewsbury Town began their 2025/26 campaign with a goalless draw against Bromley at the Croud Meadow.

Salop created the better of the few chances on offer, with John Marquis and George Nurse both going close, but neither side could find a breakthrough in a tight contest.

In the end, the teams largely cancelled each other out, ensuring both opened the new season with a point apiece.

Team news:

As expected, boss Appleton opted for a 3-5-2 formation for the season opener.

It saw Toby Savin start in goal - with Manchester United loanee Elyh Harrison missing out with a foot injury sustained in the friendly against Burnley.

Tom Anderson, Will Boyle and Sam Stubbs all made their Town debuts at centre-back with Luca Hoole and George Nurse getting the nod at wing-back.

In midfield, Sam Clucas also made his first start alongside Harrison Biggins and Alex Gilliead.

Town's fifth debutant, Anthony Scully, joined John Marquis up front.

Bromley also lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Marcus Dinanga and Michael Cheek in attack.

Report:

In what was a frantic start, the visitors thought they had opened the scoring after just four minutes.

Mitch Pinnock's long throw was headed goalwards by Kyle Cameron with Dinanga then poking it home from close range.

Thankfully for Town, though, the striker had just strayed into an offside position.

Town hit back and created two good chances to break the deadlock.

First, Gilliead whipped in a cross which Marquis headed narrowly wide.

Scully then sent a half-volley narrowly over the bar following a bullet long throw from Nurse.

There was a bizarre moment midway through the half when linesman Scott Chaulkley picked up an injury and couldn't carry on.

That led to a significant break in play - around 17 minutes - while a new official was found and readied.

Salop fan - and qualified level five referee Alan Cork stepped out of the crowd to take on the role. 

After the restart, though, chances proved few and far between for both sides - with the two teams largely cancelling each other out until half-time.

Chances continued to be at a premium following the restart.

Dinanga saw a shot from just inside the area comfortably claimed by Savin.

At the other end, Hoole did well to hit the byline before digging out a cross which Nurse fired over.

Town continued to press for a winner as the game went on - with Taylor Perry, George Lloyd and Tom Sang all entering the fray.

But the pattern of the half continued, with the two teams cancelling each other out to come away with a share of the spoils.

Teams:

Shrewsbury: Savin, Anderson, Boyle, Stubbs, Hoole, Nurse, Clucas, Biggins (Sang 84), Gilliead (Perry 68), Scully (Lloyd 75), Marquis.

Subs not used: Benning, Nsiala, Dinanga, Stewart.

Bromley: Smith, Elerewe, Charles, Cameron, Thompson (Krauhaus 64), Cheek, Dinanga (Kabamba 73), Pinnock, Webster, Whitely (Arthurs 84), Ifill (Odutayo 73).

Subs not used: Long, Sowunmi, Hondermarck, Arthurs.

Attendance: 5,809 (280 away)