KEVIN ROBERTS never won promotion with Wrexham but the defender is proud of what he achieved in his two seasons at The Racecourse.

The 29-year-old joined the Reds in the summer of 2017 from Halifax Town and was a regular in the back four, playing under a host of managers.

Wrexham kept 22 league clean sheets in 2017-18 and followed that up with 26 shut-outs in all competitions this season - equalling a club record - on route to securing a play-off spot for the first time in six years.

Roberts, a right-back who can also play centre-half, was released by Bryan Hughes at the end of the campaign and has signed a one-year deal at arch rivals Chester, but he was pleased to have been part of a solid Wrexham defence.

"Keeping 48 clean sheets in all competitions in two years is something to be proud of," said Roberts.

"You defend as a team and you score as a team; our job as defenders is to keep the ball out of the net along with the goalkeeper and it is something everyone can be proud of over the two years.

"It did have a baring on us finishing where we did this season."

Inspirational captain Shaun Pearson, Manny Smith, James Jennings and Roberts missed few matches between them during the latter's first season with Wrexham, Mark Carrington also featuring in the back four.

It was a different story in 2018-19 as goalkeeper Rob Lainton saw his defence - boosted by the addition of Jake Lawlor and Kieran Kennedy - suffer numerous injuries, but Wrexham still proved to be difficult to break down.

"The year before we did not have a lot of injuries," said Roberts. "Whoever went in earned it and kept their place so fair play to the lads.

"We had a few injuries this season apart from Rob - even Shaun struggled with his back for a bit - but everyone played their part and Rob was outstanding.

"I would liked to have topped it off by getting promotion.

"We could not have done any more and it was progress from the year before when we just fell short.

"We just never had the luck in the play-off game but I don't think we could have done much more."

Roberts was referring to the 1-0 eliminator defeat against Eastleigh when Kennedy had a goal controversially ruled out and Wrexham also struck the woodwork twice with other chances going begging, the Spitfires progressing thanks to a spectacular extra-time winner.

"Shaun had one cleared off the line and I had one cleared off the line in the last couple of seconds," said Roberts.

"It was a difficult one to take because I thought we deserved to go through but it was not to be."

It meant Roberts never scored for Wrexham and he added: "That would have been my first goal so I was disappointed not to score for the club.

"I did say if I go up for corners I will get chances but it was rare, and there was pretty much no chance of me scoring in open play."