DEAN KEATES says he was justified in naming an under-strength team for the Scottish Challenge Cup quarter-final tie against Rangers Colts which Wrexham lost 2-0.

Fringe players who have not made many starts in recent weeks and youth teamers were selected for the Ibrox Stadium clash, with Keates also having a young substitutes bench.

The likes of captain Shaun Pearson and top scorer Bobby Grant were rested with the Reds boss admitting he had one eye on tomorrow's FA Cup first round replay at Rochdale.

"We got minutes into the pros and the young lads can enjoy what they have been part of," said Keates.

"I think the team was justified because of the replay on Tuesday night.

"If it was a free-week, it would probably have been a different team.

"It has got a lot of minutes into the lads who have not had a fair few minutes over the last few weeks and it has given the young lads an opportunity."

Leighton McIntosh, who last featured for the first team when Wrexham beat St Mirren 4-1 in the previous round last month and scored twice, was one of the senior players to get a run-out.

A goal in each half saw the young Rangers side progress to the last four and McIntosh, who had Wrexham's best chance when he thwarted by the goalkeeper at 0-0, admits it was a frustrating afternoon for the Reds.

"They were obviously a good side, were organised and can play football; the pitch suited them well," said McIntosh.

"At 1-0 I still thought we could create chances and we had a good 20 minute spell at the start of the second half.

"We put a bit of pressure on them and the game would have been different if we managed to get the equaliser but the second goal deflates you a little bit.

"We still gave it everything we've got but it was frustrating."

McIntosh felt the scholars that Keates turned to gave a good account of themselves on the big stage.

"I think we have done reasonably well considering it was a mixture of first team players and young boys," said McIntosh.

"Some of the young lads have just been thrown in so it was a big occasion for them but they handled it well.

"It is good experience to get this far in a competition."

Although McIntosh has found opportunities limited since joining Wrexham in the summer, making just one league start, the frontman hopes to get more game-time.

"It was a chance to impress the manager and a chance to get minutes," said McIntosh.

"I want to stay fit, you can do as much extra stuff as you want but nothing ever replicates match fitness so I am just happy to get some minutes.

"It has been frustrating but we will just see what happens going forward.

"The last up game I was involved in I managed to get a couple of goals and I was trying to see if I could get an appearance off the bench.

"I have just got to bide my time and if I get an opportunity I have got to take it, it is as simple as that."

Wrexham were cheered on by nearly 1,000 fans for their first ever game against Rangers and McIntosh thanked supporters for their backing north of the border.

"I have had a few games here and the crowd has been 50,000-plus," he added.

"The Wrexham fans turned out really well, you could hear them and it was brilliant that they made the trip up to make it more of an atmosphere and more special."