Shrewsbury 0 Hartlepool 1

Last updated : 05 October 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Shrewsbury Town say their disappointing run of results continue as they went down by the only goal to visiting third division leaders Hartlepool United at Gay Meadow.

High-flying Hartlepool secured the points with a 55th minute goal from Eifion Williams, as Shrewsbury suffered their second successive home defeat and registered their 6th game without a win.

Williams decided this hard fought encounter 10 minutes after the break when he ran on to Tinkler's through ball after Shrewsbury midfielder Carl Murray lost possession.

Williams adavnced to slip the ball past goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, as Hartlepool made a quick return to winning ways following their home defeat against Rushden & Diamonds last Saturday.

After losing heavily to Bristol Rovers in their last home match, Shrewsbury boss Kevin Ratcliffe moved to sign Rotherham centre back David Artell on loan ,to whom he gave a home debut, while later in the game there was also a first taste of league football for teenage midfielder Glen Tolley.

By the time Tolley entered the fray with 13 minutes to go, the game was up for Shrewsbury. Despite long periods of possession they failed to make much headway against a United defence marshaled by Chris Westwood.

Indeed, for the first time this season, Shrewsbury failed to score in a league fixture and there is much concern at Gay Meadow, about their alarming slide down the table.

There is also concern about the fitness of star striker Luke Rodgers who was subbed just after the hour, as he struggles to overcome a persistent hamstring injury. Rodgers, despite carrying Town's main goal threat, never had opportunity to add to his 8 goal tally for the season.

Skipper Nigel Jemson had a shot safely gathered by the Hartlepool keeper in the closing stages, but it took an excellent stop from Dunbavin right at the death to deny Williams his second of the afternoon