WREXHAM were held to a goalless draw following an open encounter against Halifax Town at The Racecourse.

Both teams have made a superb start to the National League season, going into the match sitting in the top three, and it showed as they both gave everything in an entertaining clash.

Sam Ricketts' side just couldn't break down a well organised and stubborn Halifax defence while the Reds were equally as resilient at the other end as the Shaymen were dangerous when they counter-attacked.

It is rare for Wrexham not to score this season but they are making a habit of keeping clean sheets and a draw was probably a fair result.

Ricketts won't be too concerned that Wrexham surrendered top spot, with Harrogate taking over at the summit, but 18 points from a possible 27 is a very healthy return and keeps the Reds in the mix ahead of Saturday's trip to lowly Braintree.

The starting line-up showed four changes from the side that got back to winning ways against Aldershot three days earlier, with Ricketts switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Left-back James Jennings returned after injury in place of Kevin Roberts, who had a knock, meaning Mark Carrington switched flanks.

There was another change in defence with new signing Jake Lawlor coming in at centre-back for Doug Tharme who limped off with cramp at the weekend.

Paul Rutherford was preferred to Nicky Deverdics in midfield and the final switch was in attack with Rekeil Pyke taking over from Stuart Beavon.

Beavon, who scored his first Reds goal in the Aldershot win, was named on the substitutes bench where there was also a place for another new signing, midfielder Brad Walker.

It was an end to end opening as both sides came close to taking the lead.

Reds' leading scorer Mike Fondop almost made it 1-0 with a spectacular strike after just four minutes as his 30-yard drive cannoned back off the Halifax crossbar.

The Shaymen did get the ball in the net after forcing the first corner of the game but Nathan Clarke's header from Matty Kosylo's delivery was chalked off for a foul on keeper Rob Lainton.

Luke Summerfield's deflected effort was gathered by Sam Johnson but Halifax were proving to be a threat when they attacked and were looking very good, Jonathan Edwards going close following a decent move.

Jennings' rocket shot was goalbound but ended up being blocked and Fondop fired over the bar on the turn as Wrexham began to grow into the game and gain the upper hand.

Fondop had an even better chance on the half hour mark but his looping header from Jordan Magire-Drew's free-kick was saved by Johnson.

But Halifax were breaking quickly when they got the ball and again almost broke the deadlock from a corner, Clarke again meeting the cross but his header was cleared off the line by Summerfield.

It remained level at the break but Wrexham had a couple of chances at the start of the second half.

Fondop's header from Summefield's free-kick was just too high and Pyke met Jennings' cross but his header was saved by Johnson.

Ricketts made his first change in the 64th minute with Beavon replacing Fondop, while Halifax had a good opportunity to take the lead but Lainton got down to keep out Edwards' shot.

Luke Young came on for Rutherford and Beavon was unable to hit the target with his first effort, while Chris Holroyd replaced Maguire-Drew in the final change nine minutes from time.

Wrexham were doing the pressing but Lainton pulled off a fantastic save from Dayle Southwell after Jennings lost possession.

Beavon was unable to take a late chance that fell his way and it finished in a goalless draw.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Lainton; Carrington, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings; Wright, Summerfield; Maguire-Drew (Holroyd 81), Rutherford (Young 70), Pyke; Fondop (Beavon 64). Subs not used: Dibble, Walker.

Halifax Town (4-2-3-1): Johnson; Hanson, Clarke, Brown, Skarz; Lenighan (Maher 75), Berrett; Preston, Southwell (King 90), Kosylo; Edwards. Subs not used: Rowley, Odelusi, McLeod.

Attendance: 5,377 (244 from Halifax).