WREXHAM will have to win three matches if they are to clinch promotion through the play-offs.

Bryan Hughes' side went into their penultimate fixture of the regular season against Halifax Town on the back of three successive wins which gave the Reds hope of finishing second or third to avoid a preliminary round tie in the knock-out stages.

But a 2-1 defeat at the Shay means Wrexham can no longer secure a top-three finish, although the Reds - who will end in fourth or fifth position - will have home advantage when they attempt to secure a place in the semi-finals.

It was a disappointing end to what has so far been an encouraging April for Wrexham who beat Sutton 1-0 on Good Friday to make it a hat-trick of wins.

Wrexham fell behind when former Reds striker Scott Quigley found the back of the net for the Shaymen.

But Chris Holroyd equalised before the break, scoring a first half goal for just the second time since Wrexham thrashed promotion rivals Salford City on Boxing Day.

It looked like the game would finish in a draw but Halifax struck in added time to leave Wrexham beaten.

Wrexham, down to fifth in the table, entertain Harrogate in their final game at The Racecourse on Saturday when they will find out who their play-off opponents will be.

The starting line-up showed three changes from the side that beat Sutton three days earlier.

James Jennings replaced Mark Carrington at left-back and midfielder Luke Summerfield came in for his first start since the end of January after making two substitute appearances since recovering from a calf injury.

The other change was in attack as Jason Oswell was preferred to Stuart Beavon who dropped to the substitutes bench along with Carrington and Rutherford.

Wrexham created the first opportunity in the sixth minute following a short corner routine with Luke Young's goalbound effort blocked on the line by a defender.

The Reds enjoyed a good spell of pressure and Bobby Grant shot over the bar while Matty Brown's header was comfortably saved by Rob Lainton with Halifax's first sight of goal.

James Berrett couldn't keep another Halifax effort down as he cleared the bar but the Shaymen were starting to get on top and took the lead in the 28th minute.

Quigley latched onto a through-ball and the former Wrexham striker hammered the ball past Lainton to register his second goal since joining Halifax on loan from Blackpool in January.

Quigley was soon forced off with an injury while Wrexham saw Summerfield's free-kick turned behind by keeper Sam Johnson.

But the Reds equalised from the resulting corner on 40 minutes.

Luke Young delivered the flag kick and Oswell's header was turned home by Holroyd.

Wrexham looked to build on the goal and twice went close through Grant in the closing stages of the half, Johnson making two saves to deny the on-loan striker.

Summerfield headed wide as Wrexham finished the half strongly but Halifax made a lively start when the action resumed following the interval.

Brown headed wide from a corner for the hosts while Wrexham came more into it and Oswell's shot was gathered by Johnson.

Hughes made a double substitution in the 67th minute with Rutherford and Beavon replacing Summerfield and Oswell, and Wrexham almost took the lead following their next attack.

Kevin Roberts sent in a cross from the right and Jennings' header was brilliantly saved by Johnson, although the Wrexham defender felt the ball had crossed the line.

Hughes made his final change with 10 minutes to go as Jermaine McGlashan came on for Holroyd, while Grant shot wide as Wrexham pressed for a winner.

But it was Halifax who got the goal to secure three points in added time as Devante Rodney fired past Lainton from inside the area.