Shrewsbury captain Ian Sharps is sent off after fouling Cody McDonald on the edge of the penalty area as the sides drew 0-0 at the Prostar Stadium. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham were forced to settle for a draw for the third consecutive match after being held to a goalless draw by Shrewsbury.

The Gills dominated the opening 45 minutes, and were the only team that looked likely to score, but by the interval were unable to turn their dominance into goals.

The hosts took an hour to start making a game of it, but they too failed to find the target, and finished the game with 10 men.

Home captain Ian Sharps saw red for a professional foul on the edge of the box in the final minute and John Nutter’s subsequent free-kick was expertly tipped over by the home goalie.

It took the Gills a while to find their stride but it was Jack Payne who had the first on target shot of the match, with 28 minutes gone, but his effort from the edge of the box was saved by Ben Smith.

The home keeper had to be alert moments later when Kevin Maher played in Adebayo Akinfenwa. The big striker’s first touch was too heavy, however, and that gave the keeper the advantage.

With half-time looming Matt Lawrence tried a bicycle kick inside the area, following Payne’s long thrown, but it went wide of the post.

Danny Jackman came close to handing the Gills an early advantage in the second half, but his long range effort fizzed just wide of Smith’s goal.

With an hour gone the hosts began to get into the game more and winger Jon Taylor volleyed a chance over the bar, moments before Mark Wright stung Julian’s hands, with an angled shot.

The hosts were keeping up the pressure but Kevin Maher’s volley flashed wide with 20 minutes to go as the game remained on a knife-edge.

In the final minute there was drama when McDonald was put in the clear by Akinfenwa but Sharps pulled the Gills man back and was duly sent off by the referee. Nutter’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Richards, Lawrence, Maher, Jackman (Barcham 75mins), J Payne, Weston (Oli 75mins), McDonald, Akinfenwa. Subs: Bentley, Rooney, White, Cronin, Sinclair.

Shrews: Smith, Sadler, Sharps, Cansdell-Sheriff, Wright, Wroe, Ainsworth (Collins 55mins), Grandison, Taylor (Goldson 90mins), Davis, Harrold. Subs: Neal, McIntyre, Leslie, Disley, Downing.

Attendance: 5,574

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