Shrewsbury 0 Chelsea 4

Last updated : 26 January 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Struggling Shrewsbury Town saw their Third Division survival hopes dealt a massive blow as near neighbours Wrexham snatched a last-gasp winner at Gay Meadow.

Just as this tense local derby looked set to end all square at 1-1, Wrexham sub Lee Jones latched on to a long ball and as the Shrewsbury defence appealed in vain for offside, Jones advanced to coolly slot the ball past Shrews keeper Mark Cartwright and clinch a vital victory for the Red Dragons, who climbed into an automatic promotion place.

The away side's 90th minute winner was a cruel blow for Shrewsbury, who had dominated the match after Wales Under-21 midfield man Jamie Tolley equalised in the 58th minute, to cancel out the visitors' 24th minute opener when hotshot striker Andy Morrell claimed his 29th league goal of the season.

The respective records of these old rivals could not have been more different going into the game. While Shrewsbury have failed to win in their last seven outings to slip close to the drop zone, Wrexham were unbeaten in their last six to climb within touching distance of the top three.

These vastly differing fortunes were evident in the first half and while Wrexham were confident and assured, Shrewsbury in contrast were nervy and lacking composure.

On 14 minutes Wrexham had a goal disallowed by an offside flag, but there was no such escape for the Shrews ten minutes later as Morrell sent a looping header over Cartwright from just inside the penalty area to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Shrewsbury carried little in the way of a goal threat so it was against the run of play when they levelled matters on 58 minutes, Tolley sending a sweetly struck drive past Wrexham keeper Andy Dibble from 20 yards.

From that point on Shrewsbury held sway and gave the Wrexham defence a number of nervy moments, but just when it looked honours would end even, Jones was on hand to have the final word.