Shrewsbury 1-1 Northampton: Salop held by Cobblers in low quality clash

The 1-1 draw in Shropshire saw Salop make it three matches unbeaten over the Christmas period, but they were once again unable to make it back-to-back victories after beating Lincoln on Boxing Day. 

Shrews continued the trend under Gareth Ainsworth, which has seen them score in every game he has overseen as boss since coming in at the end of November, but they could not build on the clean sheet they got just three days prior. 

Aaron Pierre had given Shrewsbury the lead after half-time before Cameron McGeehan's goal not even five minutes later levelled the match - and that was the way it stayed.   

REPORT

As the teams arrived at the Croud Meadow on another cold afternoon, it was the last time they would take the field in 2024. 

For Town, the last 12 months have been a chastening, especially on home turf. 

They had managed to win just five games all season before this one. That is what has left them in the predicament they find themselves in. 

Having only just survived last time out after a tough campaign, the present season has been no different for Salop, in fact, it has been even worse, and that is why they are still adrift at the bottom of League One. 

But since Gareth Ainsworth's arrival, there has been hope and they would want to build on that against a Cobblers side who arrived at the Croud Meadow with one win in the last 10 matches and a newly appointed head coach in Kevin Nolan.

Town did the double over Northampton last campaign, including a brilliant 2-0 win at Sixways - which was Paul Hurst's first game in charge. 

Ainsworth has tweaked his team on almost every occasion so far since he came in as boss. The head coach is consistent and he made two changes to his side for this one. 

Jordan Shipley was ill, so he dropped out of the starting XI - he was replaced by Alex Gilliead. There was a surprise too when Tom Bloxham dropped out of the team, he was replaced by John Marquis. 

Ainsworth opted to go with a 3-5-2 formation for the game - choosing to match up his opposite number. Salop had Jamal Blackman in goal, Morgan and Josh Feeney in the back three alongside Aaron Pierre. 

Luca Hoole and Mal Benning were the wing-backs with Leo Castledine, Gilliead and Taylor Perry in the midfield three with George Lloyd and Marquis up front.

It was a really poor first half of football - with the quality from both sides lacking on a bobbly Meadow pitch. 

On chances created, Salop could consider themselves lucky to be level at the break. Northampton skipper Jon Guthrie stooped down low in the opening 15 minutes to head over the bar. 

There was a lot of individual errors on the ball throughout the opening 45 minutes with countless passes missing their intended target and sailing straight out of play. 

The Cobblers were on the back of a 4-1 Boxing Day defeat to Reading, but they went close a second time when Samy Chouchane fired narrowly wide of Blackman's goal. 

Town's threat came largely from dead ball situations, and while there were various heart-in-mouth moments when it looked like Town would lead, a Northampton player would stick out a leg and clear the ball.

And they should have led heading into the break after two glorious set-piece chances of their own. Cameron McGeehan and Aaron McGowan both saw efforts cleared off the line. McGeehan's was hooked away by Benning, while Hoole was well-placed to deny McGowan.

The game followed a similar pattern until Town took the lead on the hour mark. Lloyd's header played in Marquis. His effort was stopped by Nik Tzanev but it only fell to Pierre who fired home. 

Salop's lead did not last though, as McGeehan converted from a free-kick on the right side to pull the Cobblers level within four minutes. 

Ainsworth went to his bench bringing on Bloxham, Jordan Rossiter and Josh Kayode for his first slice of action since August.

It was an afternoon where set pieces felt like they held the with both sides looking edgy. 

Northampton had a long throw, which they used all afternoon, and it proved difficult for Town to deal with. At the other end, Shrewsbury looked just as dangerous when they fizzed corners into the penalty area. 

There were various stoppages as the clash drew to a close and nine minutes were added on at the end of the match for either side to find a winner. 

Town were the ones pushing and Chelsea loanee Castledine pulled an effort just wide of the post but it ended all square. 

TEAMS

Shrews: Blackman, Hoole, M Feeney, J Feeney, Pierre, Benning, Perry (Rossiter 68), Gilliead, Castledine, Lloyd (Bloxham 68), Marquis (Kayode 68). 

Subs: Savin, Ojo, Nurse, O'Reilly.

Northampton: Tzanev, McGowan, Guthrie, Eaves, Pinnock, Guinness-Walker, McGeehan, Odimayo (McCarron 57 (Baldwin 81 (Willis 88))), Hondermarck, Eyoma, Chouchane. 

Subs: Dadge, Dobson, Wyatt, Obiagwu.