WREXHAM can hold their heads high despite exiting the FA Cup at The Racecourse on Saturday.
A goal ten minutes from time secured a 1-0 victory for Swindon Town in the second round of the competition.
But it was cruel on Wrexham who did not deserve to lose after an excellent performance against their League One opponents.
There did not look like a two division difference between the sides as Wrexham more than matched the visitors throughout.
Although they started as underdogs, Wrexham went at Swindon from the start and had a number of opportunities to take the lead.
Wrexham dominated the game but their hopes of causing an upset were dealt a blow at the start of the second half when Christian Smith was sent off following a rash challenge.
But they did not lose heart and were more than holding their own as the half wore on, and looked the more likely to break the deadlock as the chances kept coming.
However, a lapse ten minutes from time cost Wrexham as the defence stood still and Swindon scored with a free header from a corner.
That was harsh on Wrexham who could not find a way back into the tie and a relieved Swindon secured their place in round three, with Robins boss Danny Wilson admitting that Wrexham had been a real credit.
It was always going to be difficult for the Reds but they can be proud of their efforts on a day when a moment of indiscipline resulting in the sending off eventually turned the game in Swindon’s favour.
Wrexham were the better team and had they been able to take the chances that came their way, it could so easily have been a different story.
The priority for Wrexham has always been sustaining a promotion challenge and the challenge now is to reproduce this kind of performance in the Blue Square Premier on a regular basis.
With more than half the season remaining Wrexham are currently in the bottom half of the table, but they are more than capable of putting a run together to sustain a challenge for the play-offs on this evidence.
But they have to do their talking on the pitch and not just say they are capable of securing a top-five berth.
And the key will be to start taking the opportunities in front of goal and finish teams off.
The starting line-up showed one change from the side that drew against Kidderminster in the previous outing, with leading scorer Gareth Taylor back in the side after being rested in midweek, and Polish winger Adrian Cieslewicz relegated to the substitutes’ bench.
That meant Wes Baynes switched to the right allowing Taylor to take his place in attack alongside Marc Williams.
Wrexham made an encouraging start and created their first opening after four minutes when Frank Sinclair’s long clearance was pulled back from the by-line by Marc Williams and Taylor’s drive was parried by keeper David Lucas.
Referee Graeme Salisbury did not help to keep the match flowing, but Wrexham kept pressing and Neil Taylor’s cross into the danger zone was headed away by Lescinel Jean-Francois with a host of Reds players queuing up.
A first Wrexham corner taken by Baynes– who had been a real threat from set-pieces in the Kidderminster draw – flashed across the six-yard box and just needed a touch, while Ashley Westwood headed over on 19 minutes from Curtis Obeng’s cross that had been flicked on by Gareth Taylor.
Wrexham almost took the lead three minutes later when Mike Williams’ header from another Baynes corner was cleared off the line by Billy Paynter, and Baynes also fired wide from the resulting flag kick.
The pressure was increasing on Swindon, such was Wrexham’s positive start, and Baynes’ 25-yard free-kick was well saved by Lucas when Marc Williams was fouled by Simon Ferry following another neat move.
Swindon’s first effort on goal came in the 28th minute when Sheehan’s shot was deflected over off Obeng for a corner, but the Reds’ defence was performing well and snuffing out any threat when the visitors got into the final third.
Wrexham had been well on top and ended the first half with Smith heading Marc Williams’ centre over, while Swindon were kept on the back foot when Baynes got to the by-line and his teasing cross was cleared in the six-yard box.
There was no let-up from Wrexham at the start of the second period as Obeng’s long throw fell for Smith and his shot was turned onto the post by Lucas.
However, Wrexham’s hopes were dealt a blow in the 52nd minute when Smith was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Jonathan Douglas who was not going anywhere in the middle of the pitch.
Wrexham reverted to a 4-4-1 formation with Marc Williams dropping back into central midfield and Gareth Taylor operating as a lone striker.
Chris Maxwell made his first save after 57 minutes when Paynter’s free header from Jon-Paul McGovern’s cross was kept out by the keeper, while Wrexham hit back through Baynes who saw a powerful drive gathered by Lucas.
Despite facing a numerical disadvantage, Wrexham were still more than holding their own but Swindon were enjoying more possession and Maxwell had to be alert to save Sheehan’s long range drive in the 65th minute.
But Wrexham came close to breaking the deadlock four minutes later when Gareth Taylor laid the ball off for Baynes and he ran at goal, an attempt at a pass did not work, out but the ball back fell into Baynes’ path and his shot from ten yards was brilliantly tipped wide by Lucas.
A Wrexham appeal for a penalty was turned down when Marc Williams’ shot appeared to have been handled by Kevin Amankwaah, and the striker also brought a save out of Lucas after being played in by brother Mike.
It had been an excellent response from Wrexham after going down to ten men, but Swindon took the lead in the 80th minute.
McGovern delivered a corner and unmarked defender Gordon Greer planted a free header past Maxwell from close range.
Saunders replaced Neil Taylor with Cieslewicz three minutes later in a bid to force an equaliser but time ran out for Wrexham.