ANDY DAVIES hopes defeat against Boreham Wood will "revitalise" Wrexham's promotion challenge.

The Reds were beaten 1-0 by fellow play-off contenders Boreham Wood as the 16-game unbeaten run came to an end at The Racecourse.

Now fourth in the National League, Wrexham are 13 points behind leaders Macclesfield with five games to go and Davies is focussed on securing a play-off spot.

"Macclesfield winning puts them in a very strong position," said Davies.

"It has got to be about us, we can't affect what other people do. We have to get as many points on the board as possible.

"It wasn't to be today, other results have gone for us slightly but there are other teams closing that gap now as well.

"It is putting this one to bed, we have to learn from it and can it be the little kick that we need just to revitalise ourselves because we have been on a fantastic run.

"That just might help us and gear us up for the next five games."

It was a poor performance by Wrexham who saw some of their promotion rivals drop points.

"An opportunity missed but we can't rely on others, we can't affect what others do," said Davies.

"It has got to be about ourselves and first half we were nowhere near what we are about. That is what is let us down.

"Second half we went down to 10 men and we showed some grit and determination, tried to get ourselves back in the game but it wasn't to be.

"But first half performance was nowhere near us."

Referee Paul Marsden earned few friends at The Racecourse, awarding Boreham Wood a contentious early penalty that was converted by Bruno Andrade.

Kevin Roberts was also sent off at the start of the second half following an off the ball incident and Davies felt the decisions were dubious.

"I think the penalty decision was harsh," said Davies.

"I don't want to say too much about the officials because I might get in a little bit of trouble over it.

"The sending off, I think something has gone on before the referee and the other officials have seen it, and then what decision he has come to then I don't know.

"It is frustrating because I think Kevin has been provoked a little bit in terms of what has happened, what he has done after that I don't know.

"There were a few decisions out there which were ones that you could look at again."