The news was not good for Chester even before the kick-off with Daryl Clare missing from the starting line up due to a thigh injury, Kevin Rapley coming in to replace him. There was more injury news after less than a quarter of an hour with Ben Davies replacing Sean Carey who had picked up a knock.

The game started with a good chance for Shrewsbury in the 3rd minute. Luke Rodgers put a good shot in forcing a save from the backtracking Iain Turner.

A mistake by Heard a few minutes later allowed David Edwards in forcing a good low save from Turner.

At the other end Kevin Rapley received a good through ball from Sean Carey in the 8th minute but with only the keeper to beat he was dispossessed by Darren Tinson.

Davies nearly made his mark straight away after coming on for Carey with a shot at goal, but Howie saved comfortably.

At the other end Duane Darby had a shot at goal on 18 minutes but his shot was well over the bar.

Chester made a decent break forwards on 27 minutes which resulted in Stamp getting an angled shot at goal but Howie had no trouble saving it low by the near side post.

Shrewsbury were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position on the half hour mark but it was cleared away without any real dangers, David Edwards having the only real crack at goal during the goalmouth scramble.

The best chance of the half came in the 37th minute when Duane Darby shot diagonally across the face of goal, just missing the target with the ball drifting wide left of the upright in front of a packed Chester enclosure.

Kevin Street put a dangerous free kick into the box on 40 minutes but Danny Collins rose well to head the ball away from danger.

The game continued with neither team really getting a grip on the fixture.

Some slack defending from Shrewsbury in the 40th minute allowed Kevin Rapley a great scoring opportunity but somehow he missed and the ball went wide of the upright when it looked easier to score.

Shrewsbury won a corner deep in first half injury time which Kevin Street played into the centre of the box. No danger though as it was cleared away and the referee immediately blew the whistle to end a rather dull first half.

Into the second half and Michael Twiss had a good chance from a header in the 48th but was thwarted at the last moment.

Kevin Street had a go from a 25 yard free kick which found the target but also found Iain Turner well placed to make a good save.

The game was coming more to life in the second half with both teams now shooting towards their own fans.

Luke Rodger had a fantastic shot at goal in the 56th minute from long range but with the distance involved Turner made a routine save to deny him.

Kevin Street had another great shot at goal again from distance about 15 yards out forcing a fantastic save from Iain Turner.  Shrewsbury were definitely looking the more dangerous side at this stage of the game.

Michael Twiss had a good shot at the other end a few moments later hitting the ball into the side netting from about 5 yards out after a good ball through from Scott Guyett.

Chester won a corner in the 69th minute which Kevin McIntyre played into the area where it was cleared away by David Ridler. Macca got the ball back in again but this time was too close to the keeper who got up well to grab the ball out of the air.

Jamie Heard won another Chester corner in the 72nd with a good run down the right. This time McIntyre played it to the back of the six yard box but it was cleared away easily.

Another corner came for Chester in the 73rd this time played short by Heard and yet another corner was one. This one was played into the box at the second time of asking and Scott Guyett got a header but it was easily saved by Howie.

Chester won yet another corner in the 80th minute but once again it was cleared away from danger.  It fell eventually to Ben Davies who managed to hit a powerful shot towards the goal from about 20 yards out but it drifted well wide to the right for a goal kick.

Shrewsbury won a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box in the 87th minute which resulted in Guyett getting booked. Kevin Street played the ball across the goal area but it was headed away well by the ever alert Danny Collins.

Shrewsbury had the last throw of the dice with a corner in the third minute of injury time but it was cleared away eventually by Ben Davies.

Well a very dull game then in front of goal. A few long range shots from the Shrews with little in response at the other end, both defences dominating the game.  A useful result away from home then for the blues with marksman Clare being rested.  The point keeps them on target to have the league sown up before the visit to Edgar Street on the last game of the season. MOM Danny Collins.