Shrewsbury Town : I.Dunbavin, D.Moss, D.Artell, P.Wilding, A.Smith, R.Lowe (S.Aiston 84), J.Tolley, M.Atkins, I.Woan, L.Rodgers (S.Jagielka 80), N.Jemson.

Everton : R.Wright, P.Clarke, D.Weir, A.Stubbs, D.Unsworth (K.McLeod 90), L.Carsley, S.Gemmill (Li Tie 75), T.Gravesen (N.Alexandersson 45), G.Naysmith, W.Rooney, T.Radzinski.

This 3rd round FA Cup tie might have been pitting 18th in Division Three against 5th in the Premier League but there seemed reason to hope for people wanting an upset. Shrewsbury's Gay Meadow home was not one of the lower league grounds benefitting from recent refurbishment and the heaving terraces tight to the touchlines were a reminder of the days when giant killings seemed more common. So too was the muddy, uneven pitch.

There was added spice in the fact that the two managers involved, Kevin Ratcliffe and David Moyes, had actually captained the other side during their playing careers and the whole of Shrewsbury seemed to be smarting from the fact that the BBC had not chosen the fixture for live coverage, preferring instead a couple of all Premiership encounters. On top of all this the game already appeared to have earned its place in history simply by being the first FA Cup tie that the 17 year old Wayne Rooney would take part in. The youngsters phenomenal introduction to first team football seemed to see landmarks set at every turn.

Despite having suffered a 6-0 defeat at Boston United and a 5-1 mauling at Rushden & Diamonds over the recent holiday programme Shrewsbury showed no lack of confidence as they attacked Everton from the start and the visitors back four, composed entirely of centre halves, immediately looked ill at ease. Perhaps Moyes had been expecting a long ball only approach from the Shrews but this was hardly the case as the experienced Nigel Jemson dropped off his markers to link play intelligently and both Luke Rodgers and Ryan Lowe showed their eagerness to run at the defence whenever possible. Rodgers especially was proving hard to handle from the start.

Jemson sent a volley wide before forcing a desperate save from Richard Wright with a flicked header from an Ian Woan free kick. Woan, like Jemson a player brought up with good habits by Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, was also enjoying being back in the limelight. His control and movement was proving too much for another Everton youngster, Peter Clarke, who looked thoroughly uncomfortable at right back.

With the visitors struggling to find any rhythm in midfield very little was being seen of their forwards although the pace of Tomasz Radzinski offered Everton sporadic hope. Ian Dunbavin had to block smartly from the lively Canadian and Peter Wilding was well positioned to clear from the line when Radzinski threatened again after a give and go with Rooney.

Shrewsbury continued to match Everton in midfield, however, and with the visitors defence still failing to convince the encouragement offered by the home supporters grew in conviction.

With 38 minutes gone Rodgers broke from deep again and headed straight for the heart of the defence. Thomas Gravesen's miserable first half was epitomised by his laboured pursuit and untidy felling of the Shrewsbury forward just outside the box. It was a free kick and a booking for the Everton man.

The free kick was right of centre and Wright placed a highly suspect looking wall to his left which barely covered that side of his goal. Jemson, who had scored with a set piece in the previous round against Barrow, had little difficulty in sending his shot around the wall and into the top corner, Wright finishing wrapped around his post as he desperately tried to get across in time.

Half Time: Shrewsbury Town 1 Everton 0

Gravesen's inept display saw him replaced at the interval by Niclas Alexandersson and the Swede helped the visitors show more enterprise in attack.

Almost immediately, however, the visitors defensive frailty should have cost them again. Rodgers set off on another run from the left flank, veered away from David Weir and surged into the box. Just as he was shaping to shoot Rodgers was felled by the hapless Clarke. Somehow the referee decided against giving the penalty.

This decision looked to have ruined the Shrews chances of causing a shock when Everton equalised on the hour. Dunbavin was the architect of his own downfall when he sent a weak clearance straight to Scott Gemmill. Gemmill carried the ball forward before slipping Alexandersson in on goal to the right hand side. Alexandersson's finish into the far corner was unerring.

Shrewsbury looked to respond with Jemson sending another free kick off target and Jamie Tolley forcing Wright into a comfortable save. Everton were undoubtedly looking stronger than at any previous stage, however. Alexandersson almost scored again from the exact spot from which he had equalised but grazed the outside of the post before Li Tie, just on as a substitute, was also wide of the mark having been supplied by Radzinski.

Ryan Lowe tried to force his way through for Shrewsbury but Wright was able to block at his feet. Then Rooney received his one decent chance of the afternoon. The youngster chose to lob Dunbavin but saw his effort creep over the bar.

The ninety minutes were almost up and the home fans were now probably more worried about securing a replay at Goodison than wondering about a winner when their hopes rose with the award of a free kick for a foul on Steve Jagielka. It was in a promising position down the right hand side of the box and when Woan whipped the ball into the near post Jemson stole a march on his marker to head home from close range. Around three sides of Gay Meadow there were scenes of jubilation while the packed away end muttered darkly.

There was still time for Rooney to talk his way into the referees notebook for complaining about not getting a penalty but Shrewsbury's glory was not to be denied.

The home crowd were quick to make their point with happy chants of "Are you watching BBC?" while the clubs chairman jokingly complained about the revenue lost by missing out on the replay. "I've just had a chat with the manager," he told reporters, "and I've sacked him."

In the end everyone at Gay Meadow would get what they wished for when the club were handed a home tie with Chelsea in the next round, a game which the BBC deigned to show live. There were no more heroics, however, as Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 win.

It was a day to forget for all concerned at Everton. I wonder if Rooney has erased it from his memory bank?