Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth was delighted with a clean sheet after his side’s goalless League One draw at home to Bristol Rovers.
It was only the third time this season that bottom side Shrewsbury had not conceded in a game, with the other two coming against Leyton Orient and Lincoln City.
In a game which lacked much match action, both sides had their best chances in the final 20 minutes.
The visitors went closest through experienced forward Chris Martin, who tried his luck from a tight angle, but Jamal Blackman managed to push it away.
Shrewsbury’s best opportunity of the evening came through late substitute Callum Stewart, who nearly made an instant impact, but his effort clipped the post.
“It was a proud night for me in terms of the clean sheet,” Ainsworth said. “I just wanted a bit more in front of goal.
“If we would have got that then we would have taken the points tonight.
“I want to get in thirties (points) soon – that would be nice and I think that will come.
“I can’t see us playing like that and not winning games; we know there are 11 games to go.
“We have probably got to win six and draw two or win seven; whatever it is, let’s try and get this points total.
“If we can get into the forties somewhere, then there will be a chance without a shadow of a doubt.
“Results have been kind to us tonight and hopefully we can capitalise a little bit more at Exeter and Burton next week.
“I think Bristol Rovers will probably think they have rued a few chances; Jamal (Blackman) made a big save at his near post, but you would expect him to do that.”
Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon was pleased with his players’ efforts, saying: “It was a good game of football and I was quite happy with the boys.
“Obviously, we want to win and I think we did enough to win, but I can’t ask for much more of the players.
“We always have to improve a lot of things and usually, I am not too happy with the draws as I always want to win, but overall, today I thought it was a good game.
“When we were in the last third, we needed to be more composed and have more quality as well.
“It was the first time we started with a back three and I think we did quite good and I was happy with that.
“We still conceded a couple of chances and we will have to review that because I think we were controlling the game.
“When you are in control, you can’t allow that many chances because at the end, it could have gone either way.”
