WREXHAM have got the Hollywood stars and also beat Hartlepool United to rub more salt into the wounds.

Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney are set to complete their takeover at The Racecourse in the next few weeks after Wrexham Supporters Trust members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the duo becoming new owners.

It signals an exciting new era for the north Wales club and one that will hopefully lead to Wrexham, currently spending a 13th season in the fifth tier, finally clinching promotion back to the Football League.

The takeover has been the talk of the town and interest in Wrexham has grown across the world, but for Pools fans it is a case of 'what might have been'.

Representatives of two Hollywood A-listers - rumoured to be Reynolds and McElhenney - had been in talks with the Victoria Park outfit over the summer but chairman Raj Singh rejected their takeover proposal.

That didn't go down well with Hartlepool supporters and news that Wrexham agreed on Monday to the duo taking control of the club added a little bit of spice to last night's encounter.

The match seemed like a side story for the Reds with everybody still talking about the takeover but Dean Keates' side, back in action following a three week break, needed a result following a slow start to the season.

Two games were postponed under Covid-19 protocols since Wrexham's last outing - a goalless home draw with Barnet on October 27 - and it was Pools who made a lively start with Luke Molyneux's drive charged down.

Elliott Durrell was too high with Wrexham's first effort while Paul Rutherford's lay-off fell into the path of Kwame Thomas whose shot was blocked by a defender.

Pools went straight upfield and substitute David Parkhouse's close range effort was deflected wide while the home side should have taken the lead but Molyneux headed just over the bar after meeting Gavan Holohan's cross.

It was a good spell of pressure from Pools but hitting the target was proving illusive for Wrexham with half-chances as Durrell saw an attempt blocked in the area.

The better chances were falling to Pools and ex-Chester midfielder Tom Crawford brought a superb save out of Rob Lainton from Molyneux's pull-back.

Molyneux, causing havoc on the left, cut inside and hit the outside of the post and there was yet another good Pools opportunity as Lainton turned Crawford's low drive behind.

There was a rare sight of goal for Wrexham in added time but Jordan Ponticelli's flick from Luke Young's cleared the bar.

A good Reds move at the start of the second half end with Ponticelli bringing a first save out of Pools keeper Henrich Ravas.

Seeing lots of the ball, Wrexham looked more of a threat going forward and the Reds took the lead in the 54th minute.

Thomas headed a long ball down to Durrell who riffled the ball home with powerful drive from the edge of the area.

Young had an effort blocked as Wrexham, playing much better, continued to press.

Parkhouse fired wide for Pools who were throwing everything at Wrexham as they went in search of an equaliser.

Wrexham had to soak up a lot of pressure and Pools did come close to a leveller but resolute defending kept the home side at bay.

This was the ideal way to start a run of eight league fixtures in the space of 26 days where Keates' side will aim to climb the National League table.

Hartlepool (4-4-1-1): Ravas; Cass, Johnson, Magloire, Ferguson; Donaldson (Oates 64), Crawford (Ofosu 74), Featherstone, Molyneux; Holohan, Bloomfield (Parkhouse 5). Subs: Odusina, Shelton.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Lainton; Horsfield, Kelleher, Vassell, Reckord; Rutherford, Harris, Young, Durrell (Hall-Johnson 89); Thomas, Ponticelli (Yussuf 72). Subs: Dibble, Cleworth, Davies.