1993 escort transmittion problem??

I have a 1993 Ford Escort GT 1.8 engine and its giving me all kinds of trouble. This doesnt happen everyday but most of the time it does. Its hard to shift to where i have to beat it out of gear..then once its in first and i stop at a light or sign, it idles at 500 or below, shakes and dies. could someone tell me whats going on.....email me at [email protected] please...... :banghead:

off hand it sounds like the cluch is not fully disengaging
does the car idle ok in neatral
dois if feel like it wants to go at the light in 1st
not sure if your car has hydrolic or cable clutch
clutch cable could need adjusting or be stretched out
if hydrolic could be low on fluid and need to be bled,
or have a leak at slave or master,
or master may be worn and have internal leak