Michael Appleton knows Shrewsbury need to be ‘miles better in front of goal’

Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton highlighted his team’s attacking woes after they drew 0-0 at home to Accrington.

Both teams are still searching for their first league victory and the two sides have only scored five goals between them this term.

The hosts’ best chance came early into proceedings, with Will Boyle unleashing a strike from the edge of the box but Ollie Wright kept it out.

Charlie Caton had Accrington’s best effort minutes later, with the striker getting his head to a floated cross but Sam Clucas cleared it off the line.

“When you have had 18 shots at goal and the amount of good opportunities that we have had in the game, there is a hint of disappointment you have not won the game,” said Appleton.

“At the same time, there is a little bit of positivity that you have created so many chances in the game and never really looked like losing it.

“Obviously, Accrington cleared the ball off the line two or three times and the keeper had to make a couple of saves.

“There have been occasions where not just half a chance but really good chances that we missed the target, which is the disappointing thing.

“As a unit, we need to be miles better in front of goal.

“We still haven’t ticked that box yet of scoring the first goal, which is something we will be looking to do going forward, obviously.

“I thought Isaac (England) was very good, as was Taylor Perry in the middle of the park, and it was good to have some youthfulness to the group was good.”

Accrington boss John Doolan was content with a point in the end.

He said: “I thought first half we had the better chances, I thought we should have gone in a few goals ahead but we didn’t.

“Hats off to their defence for doing what they did and second half I thought we came off it a little bit and gave the ball away at times cheaply.

“They asked more questions of us and then in terms of our defence it was on top in the second half to keep the ball out of our net.

“We were coming here to win the game and we said that at half-time because the first half showed that we missed chances and you have got to take them when they come.

“I think we should have been in the lead in the first half.

“Any point away from home is always a good one, it doesn’t matter who you play against.

“At the moment (Shrewsbury) have been struggling but you can see they had the fight for the team. It was a team that didn’t want to give anything away really.”