DEAN KEATES says actions speak louder than words after seeing Wrexham end 2020 with a 2-0 defeat against Stockport County.

The Reds conceded both goals in the opening 15 minutes and could have been further behind at the break following a one-way first half.

Wrexham came more into the game in the second period but the damage had already been done, with Keates, whose side returned to action following a nine day break, describing the first half performance as the worst display of an inconsistent season.

"We had a nine day break but not everybody has been in," said Keates, referring to some players being forced to miss training sessions.

"But it is not good enough, for us to go out there and not be at it.

"Words get said in the changing room, saying the right things in the group, but you need to go out there and put that onto the pitch."

Stockport were in action two days earlier when they drew 1-1 at Altrincham but Keates accepts Wrexham looked more like the side who had a quick turnaround between matches.

"We spoke about the fact that Stockport played 48 hours ago and they made a couple of changes to freshen it up," said Keates.

"We looked like a team who played 24 hours ago.

"It has not been ideal the situation we have been in but we have to deal with that better.

"We spoke about a bright start and being on the front foot, and trying to put our game onto them.

"We just didn't adapt to how they set up first half."

Jordan Davies appeared to have been brought down in the area towards the end of the first half and Keates felt his side should have been awarded a penalty.

"That was our one bit of decent phase of play," said Keates.

"Is it a penalty? I believe so. I have watched it back and it is a penalty.

"I say week in, week out to the players, we can't rely on the officials.

"You get some and you don't get some.

"Today we didn't get the right decision that I feel should have gone our way and it gives us a bit of a chance and momentum going into half-time after what was a disastrous start."

Jordan Ponticelli should have reduced the deficit early in the second half but the striker's shot cleared the bar with only goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe to beat, and Keates says he should have done better.

"I thought first 10 minutes of the second half we came out and we showed something about us," added Keates.

"We created a great opportunity and we have not hit the target. It is not good enough."