Goals
15 - Luke Rodgers - Nigel Jemson flicked the ball on to Rodgers, who found himself through on goal and duely fired the ball past Glennon in to the far corner from inside the area.
92 - Gary Alexander - David Lee crossed from the left to Alexander, who had found space between two defenders, and he headed past Cartwright from 6 yards.
Bookings
33 - Nicky Mohan - Foul
Sendings Off
None
Attendance - 5,010
Tigers Support - 600
Match Report
City escaped with a point from Gay Meadow thanks to a late goal from gary Alexander, following another poor away performance. Luke Rodgers had given the home side the lead on 15 minutes, but Alexander's header earned the Tigers a draw they scarcely deserved.
In changes from the Halifax game, David Lee came in for Ben Petty, and Michael Reddy replaced the suspended Theodore Whitmore, with Lawrie Dudfield switching to the right wing. Ryan Williams got a place on the bench.
Straight away, the warning signs were there to be seen. In scenes reminiscent of Field Mill just over a week earlier, Shrewbury took control of the game straight away and immediately began creating chances. Matt Glennon was to thank for keeping the scores level. Firstly, Nigel Jemson headed over from a very good position, when he should have done better. Moments later, Glennon flung himself to his left to save Steven Jagielka's 25 yard drive, as it looked increasingly obvious a goal was coming.
Luke Rodgers nearly broke the deadlock, racing in to the area one on one with Glennon, but his shot was superbly saved by the former Bolton keeper with his legs. And minutes later Shrewsbury came close again, this time Gregor Rioch seeing his rasping goal bound effort headed off the line by Mike Edwards.
The goal was coming though, it was plain to see. And sure enough, it did, in the 15th minute. Jemson flicked the ball on to Rodgers who found himself through on goal, and he made no mistake from inside the area, smashing the ball in to the far bottom corner. It was not exactly met with shock by the 600 or so Tigers supporters, as we had expected as much. Now everybody was virtually resigned to another Mansfield, if City did not improve drastically. It seemed to be unlikely, as Rodgers again forced Glennon in to a great save, seeing his 20 yard curler pushed round the post. Glennon was becoming increasingly irate with his defenders, and rightfully so.
City's first chance came through Michael Reddy. The on loan striker had a clear shooting chance, but his well-struck volley was superbly kept out by Mark Cartwright. As we started to come in to the game a bit more, Gary Alexander created another opening for Reddy, but he could not control the ball and hit it too close to Cartwright, unable to get a shot in.
The highly rated Sam Aiston limped off for the home side in the 40th minute.
At the break, Brian Little made two changes, Ryan Williams replacing Reddy and Matt Bloomer coming on for Nicky Mohan. Mohan had been torn apart for the second time in successive away matches by a pacey striker, and Bloomer was more equipped than him to cope due to his superior speed.
Although City were enjoying more posession and spending more time in Shrewsbury's half than in the first 45 minutes, they were still struggling to create goalscoring opportunities. And although the game was pretty much even, they home side still looked threatening on the break. This was illustrated on 64 minutes when Rodgers again found himself with a clear shooting chance, but his drive was brilliantly kept out by Glennon. Ryan Lowe also tested the City keeper with a 20 yarder minutes later, but he saved to his left.
The game seemed to be heading to the inevitable 1-0 defeat, and when the 4th official signalled 3 minutes of added time, no-one held out much hope. But from out of nowhere, with 30 seconds left, the Tigers grabbed a priceless equaliser. David Lee crossed from the left, and Gary Alexander stole in between two defenders to head home from 6 yards. The terrace behind our goal went mental, and after hearing the final whistle seconds later, gave the players a great reception. The support throughout had been fantastic, and it felt great to feel like it paid off somewhat.
So a point gained! The fact is, City have to improve these lack-luster away displays, and fast. Teams seem really up for their games at home with us, which is a huge difference from matches at Boothferry Park. In the last week and a half, Mansfield and Shrewsbury have both come at us from the get go, the only difference being Mansfield kept it up for practically the entire game, whereas Shrewsbury faded as the 90 minutes drew on. The players will have to start battling more, and eradicate these 15 minute spells in a game where we seem to stop playing, as has been the case at the start many times already this season, tomight included.
But we will have to hope that the team will soon adapt better to the difference between the way teams are playing against us home and away, and grow in confidence. They must do this quickly, and I am confident they will.
Man Of The Match - Matt Glennon
Kept us in it in a first half when we could have been 3-0 down with a string of magnificent saves. |
