Shrewsbury 0 Chester City 0

Apr 26 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER'S battle to beat the drop will go into the final week of the season after they failed to see off Shrewsbury this afternoon.

The Blues need only one point from their remaining two games - at home to Stockport on Tuesday and Macclesfield next Saturday - to secure their safety and send Mansfield Town down. But if the Stags win their last match at Dagenham next Saturday and Chester lose both of theirs, then Simon Davies’ men will be condemned to the Blue Square Premier.

Chester’s first ever appearance at the New Meadow – Shrewsbury’s purpose-built, 10,000-capacity new home – will not live long in the memory.

Both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, although City’s Paul McManus almost broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. The teenage striker cut inside from the left wing and thumped a right-footed shot off the inside of Town keeper Scott Bevan’s post.

Chester had reasonable claim for a penalty turned down by referee Rob Styles in the 27th minute when Kevin Ellison appeared to be clipped by former City player Kevin McIntyre in the area. Ellison later hobbled off after aggravating a long-standing thigh injury.

Shrewsbury’s best spell of the game came in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Guy Madjo was inches away from connecting with a right-wing cross by Chris Humphrey, then McIntyre blazed over. Soon after, a barnstorming run from Humphrey ended with a shot low that John Danby had to move quickly to push for a corner.

With City striker John Murphy battling in vain up front and lacking support, Shrewsbury looked the more likely side to score in the second period. But Ben Davies – another former Chester player in the hosts’ ranks – saw his close-range shot deflected into Danby’s welcoming arms and Madjo was horribly off target with a header from six yards in the 85th minute.

City had worked hard for their point, but they were left looking over their shoulders as wins elsewhere for Macclesfield, Dagenham and Notts County turned the battle to beat the drop into a two-horse race.

Shrewsbury: Bevan, Herd, Kempson, Murdock (Leslie 63), Tierney, Humphrey, Darren Moss (Hall 55), McIntyre, Davies, Hibbert (Constable 63), Madjo.

Subs: Garner, Pugh.

Chester: Danby, J Vaughan, Kelly, Linwood, Wilson, Partridge, Sandwith, Roberts, Ellison (Rutherford 39), Murphy, McManus (Hughes 81).

Subs: Palethorpe, Grant, Rule.

Booked: Ellison, Sandwith.

Attendance: 6,417.

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).