League Two play-off semi-final, second leg.

Shrewsbury Town 0 - 0 Torquay United

(Aggregate 0-2)

GRAHAM Turner described Shrewsbury Town’s failure to secure promotion to League One as a travesty after watching his side draw a blank in their efforts to find the goal which could have re-ignited their League Two play-off semi-final tie with Torquay.

The second leg, played at the Shrews’ Greenhous Meadow stadium, ended goalless as Town struggled to break down a solid Torquay United defence to cast a cloud over the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations following their 2-0 first leg defeat.

Shrewsbury had finished the league season in third place, and 11 points ahead of Torquay, who claimed seventh spot despite failing to register a win in their last five games.

But the Gulls turned the form book on its head to deny the Shrews a final appearance and consign them to another year of football in League Two.

“It is bitterly disappointing,” said Turner.

“Torquay defended well and we weren’t good enough to break them down.

“It happens in football but it still hurts and it is heartbreaking not to go up, but we have to pleased with the improvement we’ve shown this year.

“It was a travesty that we didn’t go up automatically, but we didn’t deserve it today.

“The crowd were excellent but we have to make sure we improve for next season,” he added.

Town did have a chance to break the early deadlock but Lionel Ainsworth saw his 25-yard strike saved by United ‘keeper, Scott Bevan.

Bevan then reacted well to prevent Jermaine Grandison putting through his own net, before Torquay’s, on-loan striker, Jake Robinson, facing his parent club, failed to connect with a dangerous Gary Tomlin cross from six yards.

As the game wore on it was Torquay who looked the more likely to score, but Ian Grandison, Ian Sharps and Nicky Wroe, all had late efforts saved as Shrewsbury’s season petered out.