Nationwide Conference
30 March 2004

From the Nationwide Conference Site

Shrewsbury completed a comfortable victory over fellow play-off hopefuls Barnet 1-0 thanks to a Duane Darby goal just before half-time.

Shrewsbury were always in control of the game and could perhaps have won by more if it wasn't for two excellent second-half saves by Barnet goalkeeper Shane Gore.

From the very first whistle Barnet struggled to contain the lively Jody Banim and the industrious Martin O'Connor.

In fact Barnet's only chance of the game came after just a quarter of an hour when Greg Pearson was put through by Giuliano Grazioli, but the striker blazed high and wide with only goalkeeper Scott Howie to beat.

Shrewsbury player-manager Jimmy Quinn was understandably delighted with the result and was asked if he was relieved at the final whistle. "Not so much relieved but just very proud of the team.

"We had three players who are playing with knocks and I thought we showed a great deal of character as a team and we defended extremely well."

Quinn was asked if he though it was important to gain a victory after Saturday's loss at Hereford. "It was vital, we played well on Saturday and we have played well here again against a good side.

"It looks now as if it will be five out of six teams that reach the play-offs and we have to make sure that with our two games in hand we are not the sixth side."

Shrewsbury looked by far the more comfortable side throughout the 90 minutes and look certain to have the quality to mount a promotion push, while Barnet will have to improve greatly if they are to hang on to the last play-off position.

Quotes from the Manager (Paul Fairclough)

"There are still five games to go and I can't wait.

"I spoke to all the lads individually after the game and they are all still committed to the cause."

Bookings

Barnet

S.King, 43, unsporting behaviour
I.Hendon, 51, unsporting behaviour
B.Strevens, 55, unsporting behaviour
D.Maddix, 59, unsporting behaviour

Shrewsbury Town

T.Challis, 9, unsporting behaviour
D.Moss, 50, unsporting behaviour
L.Lawrence, 72, dissent
K.Street, 90, dissent

Referee: Deadman, D

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, M.Redmile, S.King, D.Maddix, I.Hendon, S.Clist, I.Yakabu, B.Strevens, G.Pearson (L.Hatch 63, T.Taggart 90), G.Grazioli, M.Williams (M.Rooney 68)

Unused substitutes: C.Plummer, R.Millard

Shrewsbury Town

S.Howie, L.Lawrence, D.Moss, D.Tinson, J.Sedgemore, M.O'Connor, K.Street, T.Challis, J.Banim (L.Rodgers 79), D.Darby, R.Lowe (C.Cramb 89)

Unused substitutes: J.Quinn, L.Drysdale, J.Hart

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Barnet Times

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