Shrewsbury Town 0 Blackpool 0 - Report and pictures

The hosts were much the brighter side but were frustrated by the managerless Seasiders, who lived on the edge on a number of occasions as a winner was not forthcoming.

But, with skipper Mat Sadler back in the heart of defence and Luke Waterfall impressive, Shrews secured a first clean sheet of the campaign.

Other blue and amber players caught the eye, with Alex Gilliead and Greg Docherty again performing well, as well as Anthony Grant on his first Town start. But that sought-after winner was just beyond Askey’s side.

Analysis

The question on supporters’ lips before the sides were announced was whether skipper Sadler would return to Askey’s starting line-up.

With right-back James Bolton (dead leg) a doubt, there was a suggestion Omar Beckles would shuffle to the right - but Bolton shook off the injury and took his place with Beckles instead left out for Sadler.

The captain had been left out of defeats against Charlton and Burton but returned to partner new signing Waterfall for the first time, taking back the armband at the same time.

Sadler’s name was greeted with a huge roar when read out by the PA before kick-off.

The other change in Askey’s team was a Town debut for midfield anchor Grant. The signing for Peterborough replaced record signing Ollie Norburn (dead leg).

Lenell John-Lewis kept his place as the lone forward, in doing so making his first league start for Shrewsbury more than a year after joining.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway (groin) shook off the injury and took a place on Askey’s bench.

Managerless Blackpool, who had Gary Bowyer walk out after the first game of the season, were also hunting for a first league win.

Caretaker boss Terry McPhillips made six changes from the Carabao Cup success against Barnsley on Tuesday.

WATCH: Shrewsbury v Blackpool highlights

Blackpool began with the ball, sending a couple of balls into Town’s box but nothing to threaten Joel Coleman’s goal.

The hosts settled with Grant showing early on an example of the steel he brings to the side. Gilliead powered down the left with searing pace but nobody latched on to his cross.

Docherty was hacked down early on by the combative Chris Taylor, who committed another foul soon after and appeared to be walking an early tightrope.

The early stages were by no means enthralling but Shrewsbury emerged the better side and should have profited from a break as Shaun Whalley darted into the box and squared for John-Lewis but the striker was unable to make a telling touch.

Shrewsbury were enjoying more of the play in dangerous positions. Josh Laurent shrugged off Spearing before firing inches wide at the near post before Gilliead again showed his pace, breaking from Coleman’s throw but Mark Howard in the Blackpool goal saved his strike.

Town seemed to be having more joy from distance that inside the box and Docherty lashed a ripping strike narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Askey’s men were improving and penned Blackpool in before the break. Pulling them this way and that but unable to find a telling touch.

After conceding in added time twice already this season, Town saved their best opening until the final seconds of the half as John-Lewis met Whalley’s free-kick with a firm header but the goalbound effort was either saved on the line by Howard or blocked by a cluster of bodies.

Town approached the second period as they finished the first, with Blackpool penned in and struggling to cope.

With Grant doing the dirty work, winning challenges and playing the ball simply, the likes of Docherty, Whalley and Gilliead asking questions of the Seasiders. Shrewsbury made a hash of not dealing with a succession of Blackpool corners but survived.

As the hour mark approached Town fans began to wonder if it would be their day as impressive left-back Ryan Haynes sent a delightful low cross in just inches beyond Laurent.

Pinballs in the Blackpool box were not dropping the way of a blue and amber shirt as the audio levels rose in the Meadow, with the superb safe standing section willing the ball in.

But Askey’s men weren’t having it all their own way and were indebted to some great defending from Waterfall to deny Gnanduillet before Coleman saved from sub Jordan Thompson.

Laurent, who was playing as an advanced midfielder, then fluffed his lines with a heavy touch after being played in by some superb John-Lewis play.

Grant’s mammoth shift looked over with 75 minutes gone as he struggled with cramp but the midfielder played on.

Such was Town fans’ demand for a winner they chanted ‘get him on’ at Fejiri Okenabirhie as the sub warmed up. Askey went 80 minutes without making his first change.

Okenabirhie was finally sent on with seven minutes to play but the boss opted to bring Whalley off, much to the bemusement and anger of fans who booed before chanting ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’.

Town, with Amadi-Holloway also sent on, went on in an open finale and should have taken a big chance to win it.

Amadi-Holloway threaded Laurent through on goal but his driven one-on-one finish was saved by Howard’s legs. Gilliead’s penalty appeal was then waved on.

Shrewsbury tried and tried but it was not to be. Blackpool claimed a very happy point and Askey’s search for a win went on - but his points tally is up and running.

Key moments

4 - John O’Sullivan helps a Jay Spearing delivery over the top for the visitors.

12 - Great pace from Alex Gilliead to get away down the left but nobody can latch on to his cross.

18 - Josh Laurent and John-Lewis pick a Blackpool defender’s pocket and Shaun Whalley bursts into the right side of the box. Crosses low but John-Lewis cannot apply a telling touch.

30 - Town again unable to make most of getting away down the wings. This time John-Lewis’s left-sided low cross lacks accuracy.

36 - Greg Docherty’s 25-yard thunderbolt flies narrowly wide.

45 - John-Lewis is so unlucky. Bullet header from a Whalley free-kick is cleared off the line.

59 - Spearing’s 22-yard free-kick is over the wall but easy for Coleman.

60 - Ryan Haynes is released on the left side of the box and his fine cross is just ahead of Laurent at the back post.

67 - A big let off for Town who switch off but striker Armand Gnanduillet can’t get enough on the lob over Coleman.

73 - Town living on the edge. Luke Waterfall’s last-ditch challenge denies Gnanduillet before Thompson shoots at Coleman.

83 - Shrews finally made a first sub as Fejiri Okenabirhie replaces Whalley. A decision which brings boos and chants from Town fans.

89 - It’s not going to come, is it? Sub Aaron Amadi-Holloway plays in Laurent on goal but Howard saves down low. Gilliead then has a penalty appeal turned down.

Teams

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3):

Coleman; Bolton, Waterfall, Sadler ©, Haynes; Grant, Laurent, Docherty; Whalley (Okenabirhie, 82), John-Lewis (Amadi-Holloway, 88), Gilliead.

Subs not used: Arnold (gk), Beckles, Angol, Loft, Barnett.

Blackpool (3-5-2):

Howard; O’Connor (Thompson, 67), Heneghan, Tilt; Turton, Spearing ©, Taylor (Daniels, 45), O’Sullivan, Bunney; Gnanduillet, Delfouneso.

Subs not used: Mafoumbi (gk), Cullen, Dodoo, Pritchard, Sinclair-Smith.

Referee: Ollie Yates

Attendance: 5,216 (357 Blackpool fans)

Star man - Anthony Grant. Made a huge difference.

Position in the table - 21st (one point from three games)