The match started brightly enough for the Cherries as they pushed forward in the opening few minutes as Igoe produced a speculative shot, from distance which did little to trouble the keeper. Connell got in on the act as well as he shot narrowly in the 4th minute.
But that seemed to be as good as it got for either side in the opening 45 minutes as defences and midfield dominated, thwarting too much in the final third for the attacks.
A blow for the Cherries came just before the 15 minute mark when Robinson was withdrawn for Bartley to come on. I can only assume that Anton was unlucky enough to pick up a knock - hopefully nothing too serious.
There was plenty of decent build up play from both sides. For the Cherries Pearce and Garry were solid at the back, Hollands and Bartley were solid in the middle of the park, but going forward there just seemed to be (at times) a lack of invention to unlock a side who were determined to hold on to at least a point (even if they did have the infamous David Button in goal!).
Feeney did find himself clear just before the break, following a lovely flick on from Connell, but his low shot wasn't smart enough to beat Button.
The second half saw the arrival of the rain ...... thankfully not as heavy as the deluge as last Saturday, but it soon became clear that the surface was a bit 'sticky' in places and wasn't running true.
The introduction of Steve Fletcher for Alan Connell, who for all of his attempted flicks (most of which were well intended, but very few worked) in the 54th minute did see a margin improvement in play for the Cherries, but the same pattern of play, between two sides who I am sure are going to be in the mix at the end of the season, continued.
Before Jalal had to leave the field of play he did have to make full stretch save to deny the Shrews the lead. Sadly Jalal look as if he pulled a calf muscle and was replaced by Thomas ...... at least he's used to playing in the rain!
When the goal came it was a bit of a scramble. From my vantage point it looked as if Hollands got the last touch from a move involving Bradbury and Fletcher in the 85th minute.
A win is a win, that's all I can say about this one. Shrewsbury will feel robbed of a point though.
Jason Pearce
AFCB: Jalal, Bradbury, Garry, Pearce, Cummings, Igoe, Hollands, Robinson, Feeney, Pitman, Connell
Subs: Thomas (for Jalal, 59 mins), McQuoid, Partington, Goulding, Bartley (for Robinson, 14 mins), Fletcher (for Connell, 54 mins)
Andy Burton, Portsmouth