Colin Kazim-Richards says it was ‘point gained’ for Crawley against Shrewsbury

Head coach Colin Kazim-Richards was adamant it was a case of a point gained rather than two lost after Crawley and Shrewsbury played out the first goalless draw at Broadfield Stadium for three years.

Not since April 29 2023, against Walsall, have Crawley had a 0-0 on their home ground and it moved them two points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.

After George Lloyd wasted a great chance for Shrewsbury, Crawley came close to snatching victory when substitute Ryan Loft had a shot parried and Louie Watson struck a post in stoppage time.

Kazim-Richards said: “It’s a point gained for me. It could have been two or three on another day, but I prefer to look at the positives.

“You can always say it can be better, but it’s a step in the right direction.

“It took us up in the table and we are still in a decent position – what we do will determine our outcome.”

Former Derby, Brighton and Sheffield United forward Kazim-Richards has seen a change in his players’ mindset since he took over three weeks ago.

He added: “My guys gave everything. Three points would have been absolutely amazing, but we didn’t lose.”

Shrewsbury head coach Gavin Cowan was pleased with the way his side reacted after securing safety the week before with victory over Oldham.

Cowan said: “In many ways it’s been a difficult season again, but certainly in the last few weeks we showed good respect for the club and the supporters.

“It was there again today with our strategy and structure. We contained the pressure of a team who had to go all out.

“Our keeper has made a couple of good saves but we had our chances. Had Lloyd scored that one at the end we would have come away with a win.”

Cowan, who gave a Football League debut to 6ft 5in defender Isaac Lee, is aiming to turn Shrewsbury into a “very athletic, strong and capable team” next season and is relishing being the one that “makes us punch above our weight”.

He added: “We’ve got two games to go now and we’re in a good position. It’s going to be a big summer for me but we’ve got a good base.”