IT was a case of what might of been for Wrexham after exiting the FA Cup.

Wrexham lost a second cup game in four days after going down 1-0 against Rochdale in their first round replay at Spotland.

Poor defending from a set-piece gave the League One side an early lead and despite Wrexham making a real fight of it, that proved to be enough to secure a second round home tie against Boston United of the National League North.

But it could well have been Wrexham facing the Lincolnshire side a week on Sunday had they not taken their chances in the first clash with Rochdale.

Wrexham were the better side but it proved to be a missed opportunity as Rochdale just about got the job done at the second attempt.

Manager Dean Keates will be pleased with how his side acquitted themselves over 180 minutes against a team from two divisions above, but scoring goals remains a worry.

Although it was disappointing to be knocked out of the famous cup competition - Wrexham would have fancied their chances of beating Boston and progress to a potentially money-spinning third round tie - the Reds can now concentrate on the league.

Getting out of the National League relegation zone has always been the priority and it really is a must for Wrexham.

Going down to the sixth tier would be unthinkable and Keates now has just over half a season to turnaround Wrexham's fortunes.

A 1-0 win over leaders Bromley in the last league game is a very good start and Wrexham will hopefully build on that win when high-flying Yeovil Town arrive at The Racecourse on Saturday.

It was no surprise to see Keates welcome back his regulars after fringe players and youth teamers started Saturday's 2-0 Scottish Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat against Glasgow Rangers.

Keates made 11 changes from the side that started at Ibrox Stadium, reverting back to the team that began the goalless draw against Rochdale nine days earlier.

The Dale again included two former Wrexham attackers - Rekeil Pyke and Matty Done - in their line-up.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side made the early running and took an eighth minute lead.

Aaron Morley's corner - which Wrexham argued should have been a goalkick - was flicked on by Pyke and an unmarked Paul McShane headed home from close range.

There was an opening soon after for Wrexham as Paul Rutherford's cross was helped on by Bobby Grant but the ball was just beyond a stretching Ben Tollitt at the back post.

Rochdale were seeing a lot of the ball but Wrexham were quick to counter and Tollitt headed wide from Rutherford's centre.

But Wrexham lacked a cutting edge and Rochdale came close to a second goal in the 26th minute.

A flowing move ended with Done's powerful 20-yard drive brilliantly tipped behind by Reds goalkeeper Rob Lainton.

Wrexham responded and James Jennings saw a shot curl away from goal at the other end and Grant's header following Carrington's cross lacked power and was easily saved by Dale keeper Robert Sanchez.

But Summerfield did come close to equalising as his low effort from outside the area was turned over the bar by Sanchez.

The Reds remained 1-0 down at the break and Grant put a header wide at the start of the second period.

Tollitt's shot was deflected for a corner from which Jennings headed wide as Wrexham continued their positive start to the half.

And Wrexham, who kept going at Rochdale should have equalised in the 70th minute as a free-kick dropped in the area for Shaun Pearson but the Reds skipper fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Keates made a double substitution with six minutes remaining as Devonte Redmond and Leighton McIntosh came on for Akil Wright and Tollitt.

Luke Young was unable to keep his shot down as Wrexham pressed for an equaliser and Grant also fired wide.

A ball into the area was partially cleared and Summerfield tried to lob Sanchez but his effort was scrambled behind for a corner.

That proved to be Wrexham's last chance and Rochdale progressed.

Rochdale (4-2-1-3): Sanchez; Keohane, O'Connell, McShane (Ryan 45), Done; Williams, Morley; Camps; Tavares (Wilbraham 64), Henderson, Pyke (Andrew 90). Subs: Lynch, Bradley, Gillam, Hopper.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Lainton; Carrington, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings; Summerfield, Young, Wright (Redmond 84); Rutherford, Grant, Tollitt (McIntosh 84). Subs: Dibble, Barnum-Bobb, Chambers, Tharme, Bickerstaff.

Attendance: 1,628 (409 from Wrexham).