IT was a frustrating night for Wrexham who were held to a goalless draw by mid-table Harrogate Town at The Racecourse.

Phil Parkinson's side had scored seven goals in back-to-back League Two wins against Morecambe and Accrington Stanley to remain on course for automatic promotion but the Reds drew a blank on this occasion.

Wrexham huffed and puffed in the first half and although they dominated the contest, there was no end product with neither side having a decent scoring opportunity before the break.

Although they were on top after the interval, Wrexham just couldn't break down stubborn Harrogate who defended well all night.

Despite failing to make it a hat-trick of victories Wrexham climbed above Stockport, who didn't play, into second place and are now two points behind leaders Mansfield who lost 2-1 at Tranmere.

With Wrexham in such good form, it was no surprise to see Parkinson name the same side for the third game in a row, and the substitutes bench was also unchanged.

Harrogate had the first sight of goal in the fifth minute when Derrick Abu headed wide from Abraham Odoh's cross.

Wrexham's first chance came when Elliot Lee's corner reached Will Boyle who was too high with his effort.

Although they were passing the ball around nicely, there was a lack of intensity from Wrexham and Lee's cross curled towards goal but was comfortably taken by goalkeeper James Belshaw.

Solid defending by Harrogate was keeping Wrexham at bay, with the Reds enjoying a lot of possession and getting into some decent positions but just unable to break down the visitors' back-line.

It was hardly a shock that it remained goalless at the break with no clear cut chances at either end.

Wrexham were back on the offensive when the second half kicked-off with Jacob Mendy's low shot deflected wide for a corner which came to nothing.

Lee fed Ollie Palmer who ran at goal before unleashing a shot that failed to hit the target, and the Reds' remained on top.

There was a chance when Lee's corner was headed back across goal by Paul Mullin and was cleared in the six-yard box by Harrogate when it just needed a touch from a Wrexham team-mate.

Parkinson made his first change in the 64th minute with Steven Fletcher, who scored the third goal when he came off the bench in the 3-1 win at Morecambe on Saturday, replacing Palmer.

Wrexham came close to opening the scoring when a corner was cleared, Lee put ball back into the danger zone and Will Boyle's header was saved by Belshaw who got down low to deny the centre-back.

There was a blow for the Reds when captain James McClean was booked after pulling down substitute Levi Sutton and the Irishman will now serve a two-game ban as it was his 10th yellow card of the season.

Parkinson made a triple change with 13 minutes remaining with Jordan Davies, Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton coming on for Mendy, Boyle and Ryan Barnett.

Marriott was well placed when the ball fell for him in the box but a fresh air kick meant the chance went begging.

Luke Young took over from Andy Cannon in a final throw of the dice and the midfielder's long range effort was tipped over by Belshaw.

Mullin fired over in the dying seconds and Wrexham had to be content with a draw as the final whistle blew.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Okonkwo; Barnett (Bolton 77), Cleworth, O'Connell, Boyle (Marriott 77), Mendy (Davies 77); McClean, Cannon (Young 86), Lee; Mullin, Palmer (Fletcher 64). Subs not used: Howard, Tozer.

Harrogate Town (4-4-2): Belshaw; Abu, Burrell, O'Connor, Gibson (Foulds 45); Thomson, Daly, Cornelius (Sutton 72), Odoh; March (Sivi 72), Muldoon. Subs not used: Oxley, Falkingham, Dooley, Bloxham.

Attendance: 12, 018 with 260 from Harrogate.