"DULL with a capital D" was one radio commentator's synopsis, and few would have found it easy to argue.

One look at the pitch gave a swift indication this game was not set up for attractive, free flowing football.

And so it proved as the heavy, bobbly surface prevented Accrington Stanley from getting the ball down and moving it around the pitch in the way they have become accustomed to.

The extent of the dire fare was highlighted by the fact that there were 53 minutes on the clock before the first shot on target was recorded. And even that was a half-chance for Paul Mullin as his right footed 20-yard effort was comfortably scooped up by Scott Howie.

Shrewsbury's Darren Tinson later raised the temperature for the home fans, but Jon Kennedy made a great diving save to keep out the captain's towering header with 14 minutes to go.

But while the match with fellow promotion chasers Shrewsbury failed to rouse the senses, you don't get points for pretty football.

"It was very difficult for both teams - the pitch dictated that and it was hard to get any momentum or passing going," Stanley manager John Coleman said.

"We came here with a game plan. We wanted to frustrate them and try to get on top of them in the second half.

"We kept them at arm's length for long periods but we didn't have the threat up front that we would have liked, and in the end I thought a draw was a fair result."

With five across the middle compared to Shrewsbury's 4-3-3 formation, one would have anticipated the Reds to make use of their greater width.

But it was the home side who dominated the flanks more in the opening half, with the lively Sam Aiston bombing down the left almost at will.

That, however, was when the Reds' plan of action came to the fore, with an obstinate rearguard thwarting the Shrews' attack, which included 44-year-old player-manager Jimmy Quinn.

Darren Moss evaded Peter Cavanagh's challenge but Paul Howarth was on hand to cover and clear for a corner from which Aiston's 20-yard effort sailed well over the bar.

Stanley's pre-match plans could have been disrupted after just five minutes when Paul Cook hobbled off with an ankle strain after trying to skip past the referee on the centre spot.

But Steve Flitcroft replaced the former Burnley midfielder and kept the pot boiling with a solid display in the centre of the park, helping to push Stanley forward and weighing in with some meaty challenges.

As the Reds pressed, Mullin instigated a half chance for Lutel James, chesting the ball down for the striker inside the area. But James was steered away from goal when taking a first-time shot would have caused more problems.

At the opposite end, Aiston went on a strong run down the left, bursting past Robbie Williams. All he had to do was cut the ball back from the bye-line to leave Colin Cramb with an empty net to ram the ball into, but his pass was placed well behind the striker.

Cavanagh then made a well-timed challenge on Quinn inside the area before Cramb bobbled a shot wide.

Shrews fans were hopeful of greater potency up front when Jody Banim replaced Quinn at the start of the second half.

But the Stanley defence succeeded in keeping the 25-year-old quiet while going on to give the home side cause for concern.

After Mullin's low shot was gathered, Howarth jinked his way past Tinson in the area from James' flick down the right, but a cross-come-shot failed to materialise.

Howie then punched clear from the head of Ged Brannan after Cavanagh floated a free-kick into him six yards out.

Ex-Manchester City and Wigan midfielder Brannan limped off with a thigh strain soon afterwards. Steve Hollis replaced him, with Cavanagh filling the void Brannan's departure had left, and the defender tormented in midfield.

Goalkeeper Kennedy, meanwhile, had been relatively redundant until the 77th minute, when he succeeded in securing a point for the Reds. Shrews' substitute Martin O'Connor sent a free kick over to the right post where Tinson powered a header goalwards, Kennedy flung himself at the ball and expertly tipped it round the post.

Stanley had the best of the final 10 minutes, with Steve Halford and Mullin going close to snatching all three points.

But with Morecambe, Exeter and Woking drawing, Stanley will be more than happy with a clean sheet and just the one point at Gay Meadow.

SHREWSBURY 0

STANLEY 0

Gay Meadow Att: 3,777

PLAYER RATINGS

STANLEY

JON KENNEDY Not tested until late in the first half when he did well to tip Colin Cramb's header round the post 7

PAUL HOWARTH Looked to make impact against his former club by supplying some searching balls forward 7

ROBBIE WILLIAMS Was beaten by the pacy Sam Aiston in the first half but was spared by poor delivery. Headed clearances thwarted Shrews 7

STEVE HALFORD Another solid display at heart of defence and again sought to make impression at opposite end 7

PETER CAVANAGH Great tackle on Jimmy Quinn in the box when he was the last man. Moved up to midfield in second half and was typically tenacious 8

LUTEL JAMES Did a lot of running down the right and sought to get inside as often as possible. Showed awareness with passes 7

ANDY PROCTER Typically hard working performance in the middle. Vital contributions at both ends of the field 7

PAUL COOK Supplied some good early balls from midfield but picked up ankle injury after just five minutes and limped off.

GED BRANNAN Prominent inside the 18-yard box and battled to win possession on a difficult surface, which could have contributed to him picking up thigh strain 7

RORY PRENDERGAST His pace on the left resulted in him being the victim of a number of fouls as defence struggled to handle him 7

PAUL MULLIN Didn't see much of the ball until second half when his 20-yard low shot was recorded as the game's first effort on target. Went close with late header 7

SUBS:

STEVE FLITCROFT (for Cook 6 mins) 7,

STEVE HOLLIS (for Brannan 73) 6.

SUBS NOT USED: JAMIE SPEARE, JOHN DURNIN, DEAN CALCUTT

SHREWSBURY

SCOTT HOWIE 6

DARREN MOSS 6

DAVID RIDLER 7

DARREN TINSON 7

JAKE SEDGEMORE 6

KEVIN STREET 6

DAVID EDWARDS 7

SAM AISTON 7

JIMMY QUINN 6

COLIN CRAMB 7

DUANE DARBY 6

SUBS:

JODY BANIM (for Quinn 46 mins) 6,

MARTIN O'CONNOR (for Cramb 65 mins) 7

SUBS NOT USED: ROSS STEPHENS, GLENN TOLLEY, JOE HART

REFEREE: R Pollock 7