Grimsby Town enjoyed the better of the exchanges against Shrewsbury Town but they will need a replay to decide who will face Cardiff City in the Emirates FA Cup third round.
Craig Clay’s late effort from the edge of the box for National League Grimsby flew agonisingly wide in the closing moments as League One Shrews held on for another chance back at Greenhous Meadow next week.
Grimsby Town 0-0 Shrewsbury Town
The Emirates FA Cup
Second Round Proper
Monday 7 November 2015
Blundell Park, Grimsby Town FC
Winners receive £27,000 from prize fund
The home fans were on their feet in anticipation of the ball nestling in the back of the net and it would have been no less than what their team deserved after an impressive performance.
Grimsby were out of the blocks quickly and Jon-Paul Pittman forced a fine save from Jayson Leutwiler on 19 minutes. And the hosts almost broke the deadlock again just shy of the half-hour mark.
Pittman's through ball was sent crashing against the bar by strike partner Padraig Amond.
Shrews stopper Jayson Leutwiler was stretchered off just before half-time
Paul Hurst's side continued to press after the break and they struck the woodwork again on 62 minutes when Conor Townsend's deep cross dropped onto the woodwork.
Scott Vernon should then have fired Shrewsbury into the lead moments later after racing clear - only for James McKeown to bravely deny him.
Grimsby created a host of fine chances late on but were forced to settle for a replay, with Championship side Cardiff the prize in the next round.
Watch the highlights from the draw at Blundell Park
Grimsby Town (4-4-2): 1 James McKeown; 2 Richard Tait, 22 Aristote Nsiala, 6 Josh Gowling, 26 Conor Townsend; 20 Nathan Arnold, 16 Craig Clay, 8 Craig Disley (c), 11 Andy Monkhouse; 10 Padraig Amond, 18 Jon-Paul Pittman.
Substitutes: 18 Omar Bogle for Pittman 76, 29 James Alabi for Amond 86, 19 Alex Jones for Arnold 86
Substitutes not used: 3 Gregor Robertson, 4 Scott Brown, 5 Shaun Pearson, 28 Conor Henderson.
Shrewsbury Town (4-4-2): 1 Jayson Leutwiler; 5 Jermaine Grandison, 13 Anthony Gerrard, 20 Nathaniel Knight-Percival, 12 Junior Brown; 10 Shaun Walley, 17 Abu Ogogo, 7 Liam Lawrence, 11 Sullay Kaikai; 16 Scott Vernon, 9 James Collins (c).
Substitutes: 21 Mark Halstead for Leutwiler 45, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro for Vernon 80, Tyrone Barnett for Vernon 80
Substitutes not used: 3 Mat Sadler, 19 Liam McAlinden, 22 Jordan Clark, 31 Dominic Smith.
