Bristol Rovers

Attendance: 2,608 (193)

Rovers earned a very hard-fought point at the Racecourse Ground in a game where Mark McChrystal spent over 50 minutes in goal following an injury to Steve Mildenhall.

Darrell Clarke recalled Nathan Blissett and Lyle Della-Verde to the starting 11 with new loan signing Alex Wall taking a place among the substitutes.

Wrexham started the more dominant of the two sides in the opening stages as Andy Bishop flicked a long ball onto Wes York, York managed to pick out Mark Carrington in the area who dragged his shot wide of Mildenhall’s far post.

The home side were passing the ball around very well and created space on the edge of the area for Wes York who managed to turn but saw his shot end up behind the goal.

With just over 20 minutes played the Dragons came the closest to breaking the deadlock as Rob Evans’ powerful run through the middle created space for a shot and his shot grazed the crossbar but ended up behind the goal.

Blaine Hudson had the best chance to open the scoring moments later as the big centre back leapt highest to reach Carrington’s corner but could only head straight at Steve Mildenhall.

Things went from bad to worse for Rovers with five minutes to play in the first half a poor pass across goal from Lee Brown was intercepted by Andy Bishop who was denied by Mildenhall at the expense of an injury.

Mildenhall received treatment for several minutes before being replaced by Neal Trotman with skipper Mark McChrystal donning the gloves.

There was 7 minutes of injury time to the end of the first half due to Mildenhall receiving treatment and just before half time Wrexham and Rob Evans sent off for a foul on Matty Taylor.

Evans jumped into the challenge with his studs showing and gave referee Ross Joyce no chance but to show a straight red card.

10-man Wrexham came out all guns blazing in the second period trying to test Mark McChrystal at every opportunity and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rovers penalty area.

On this occasion the wall did it’s job and protected the Rovers skipper in between the sticks but moments later conceded another free kick this time a little further out.

Neil Ashton decided to take this one direct and the ball sailed narrowly wide of McChrystal’s right hand post.

Rovers first real effort on goal fell to Andy Monkhouse just past the hour mark as his shot was blocked in the area by Manny Smith following Nathan Blissett’s knock down.

With just over 15 minutes of the game remaining Lee Brown had Rovers best chance of the game.

Tom Lockyer hit a pin-point diagonal ball from right back to the far post as Brown ghosted in but he could only head into the arms of Dan Bachmann in the Wrexham goal.

The home side were only a threat for set pieces however, as a Neil Ashton free kick was headed clear by Tom Parkes Rovers broke with pace but Angelo Balanta scuffed his shot at the vital time and it was easy for Bachmann.

Rovers were playing a large portion of the game on the counter attack and a foul on Stuart Sinclair earned Rovers a free kick right on the edge of the Wrexham penalty area.

Luton Town loanee Alex Wall stepped up and struck the ball with power but saw his effort come crashing back off the crossbar to safety with the keeper beaten.

The home side kept throwing men forward in search of a winner but Mark McChrystal dealt with everything that the Dragons could throw at him.

Wrexham: Bachmann, Carrington, Ashton, Smith, Hudson, Clarke (C), Bishop (Moult – 88), Evans, York (Durrell – 70), White, Jennings.

Unused Substitutes: Harris, Tomassen, Thompson.

Rovers: Mildenhall (Trotman – 44), Lockyer, McChrystal (C), Parkes, Brown, Monkhouse, Sinclair, Mansell, Della-Verde (Balanta – 24), Taylor Blissett (Wall – 72).

Unused Substitutes: Clarke, Goldberg.