DEAN KEATES could not fault Wrexham's performance against Rochdale but admits his players need to be more clinical as failure to take their chances resulted in defeat.

After conceding an early goal in the FA Cup first round replay at Spotland, Wrexham had opportunities to equalise, particularly in the second half.

But Wrexham were unable to find the back of the net as they slipped to a 1-0 loss, and Keates rued those missed chances.

"There are good players in there," said Keates.

"The positive thing is we have looked like a team over the last two games and if you take it back a little bit to Bromley and Torquay, we have started to look like a well-organised unit.

"But we need to be a bit more clinical. Second half we had a lot of chances, good half-chances that we have not hit the target with.

"That is the disappointing side, we have to be better in the 18 yard box."

The best chance after the break fell to Shaun Pearson but the Reds captain fired wide.

Keates says regardless of position, all his players need to do better in front of goal.

"Rochdale are a good team but we limited them to one shot from 20 yards out and Rob Lainton pulled off a good save," said Keates.

"We created numerous chances and we have not been clinical enough or minimum made the keeper work.

"I can't take anything away from the players, they gave everything again but we just need to be that little bit more clinical.

"It is not just the strikers. Shaun had as good an opportunity as anybody, it dropped down to him on the half-volley and he dragged it wide.

"That is not me singling players out or naming names, or saying we are not clinical enough up front, opportunities can fall to anybody in the team and we have to be more consistent.

"We have to be hitting the target more often."

Rochdale scored from a poorly defended corner but Keates was adamant the referee should have awarded a goal-kick.

"The minimum we deserved was to go to extra-time," added Keates. "My lads deserved that opportunity.

"We have not got robbed of it but it was a horrendous decision.

"But one of my players has not won the header from the corner and the second has lost his man so that is what we will look at."