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Shrewsbury Town vs West Ham United. The FA Cup Third Round.

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Shrewsbury 0-0 West Ham: Hammers cling on for FA Cup replay

West Ham were held to a goalless draw by League One Shrewsbury on Sunday
Image: West Ham were held to a goalless draw by League One Shrewsbury on Sunday

David Moyes narrowly avoided another FA Cup upset at Shrewsbury as West Ham clung onto a third-round replay with a 0-0 draw at New Meadow.

Fifteen years on from Everton's elimination at the hands of the Shrews, the League One outfit dominated their Premier League opponents to earn another crack at the Hammers.

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Goalkeeper Joe Hart says he was grateful to the West Ham fan who lent him a cap during the first half at Shrewsbury

Joe Hart denied first-half efforts from Mat Sadler and Alex Rodman on his return to his boyhood club, while Jon Nolan fired the best chance of the second period over late on.

For all of their dominance, though, Shrewsbury were unable to find a winner, but Paul Hurst's men will fancy their chances at the London Stadium in a week's time if faced with a similarly laboured West Ham performance.

Player ratings

Shrewsbury: Henderson (7), Bolton (7), Sadler (7), Nsiala (8), Beckles (8), Ogogo (7), Whalley (8), Nolan (7), C. Morris (7), Godfrey (7), Rodman (7).

Subs: Lowe (5), Gnahoua (n/a), Payne (5).

West Ham: Hart (8), Burke (6), Rice (6), Ried (6), Ogbonna (6), Masuaku (5), Kouyate (5), Obiang (5), Cullen (7), Chicharito (5), Ayew (5).

Subs: Quina (6), Martinez (6).

Man of the Match: Shaun Whalley.

After more than holding their own in the first quarter, Shrewsbury created the first opening on 26 minutes when Shaun Whalley's free-kick threatened to find Ben Godfrey at the back post, but Hart gathered.

Omar Beckles then flashed a volley over the bar but it wasn't long until Hart was called into action again, first to deny Sadler's low 35th-minute drive before palming Rodman's effort from the edge of the area away.

Shrewsbury Town's Carlton Morris (C) defends from a corner during the English FA Cup third round match v West Ham
Image: Shrewsbury dominated for large periods of the game

The Hammers - partaking in their third game in five days - offered little by way of a response and, with a lack of options from the bench, the trend continued in the second half.

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But Shrewsbury joined their opponents in drawing a blank in front of goal as neither Hart or Dean Henderson were called into action in the second period.

Team news

Dean Henderson retained his position after Manchester United granted the on-loan goalkeeper permission to play. Alex Rodman and Ben Godfrey returned as the hosts made two changes from their New Year’s Day win over Oldham. Joe Hart returned to captain West Ham, one of four changes made by David Moyes following the Hammers' 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

However, the Hammers were let off the hook on 86 minutes as Nolan blazed over after Josh Cullen dithered on the ball in the area, and Aristote Nsiala set up the Shrews forward for what would have been the winner.

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  • David Moyes is now winless in his last five FA Cup matches (D2 L3), last celebrating victory in the competition back in February 2013 in a 3-1 win over Oldham Athletic when in charge of Everton.
  • Shrewsbury Town have conceded just five home goals in all competitions this season - no other side in England's top four tiers can boast a better defensive record on home soil.
  • In fact, The Shrews have not lost an FA Cup Third Round tie at home since 1989 when they were beaten 3-0 by Colchester United (four games since - W3 D1).
  • West Ham have been taken to an FA Cup Third Round replay by lower league opposition for the first time since 1999, a tie which saw them eventually lose 1-0 to then fourth-tier side Swansea City.

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David Moyes admits West Ham's recent fixture list contributed to their 'poor display' at Shrewsbury but is relieved to be in the draw for the fourth round

What's next?

Shrewsbury and West Ham return to league action on January 13 away at Blackburn and Huddersfield respectively, before the two sides contest their third-round replay at the London Stadium.

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