NEIL TAYLOR is keeping his fingers crossed that Wrexham can finally end their Football League exile.

Taylor was part of Wrexham's first two campaigns in the National League before leaving for Swansea City.

Not much has changed since Taylor left The Racecourse back in 2010 with Wrexham still trying to return to League Two after a failed play-off campaign this term - their 11th at this level.

"I still keep an eye out for Wrexham," said Taylor, who watched the 1-0 home play-off preliminary round defeat to Eastleigh.

"They should have won that semi-final, shouldn't they? It was disappointing again.

"Year on year they keep knocking on the door and it gets more difficult each time, but you've got to have belief that they can finally win promotion.

"They always get there or thereabouts and hopefully one year we can see it happen."

Taylor has played around 300 games since leaving Wrexham in Premier League and Championship and at international level for Wales, Swansea and Aston Villa.

Asked whether he expected Wrexham to still be scrapping it out in the National League nine years on, Taylor said: "I know how difficult it is to get out of that league from playing in it, especially with only one going up and about 20 in the play-offs.

"It's difficult and having been in the play-offs myself, it's a lottery.

"Most of the time it's a bit of luck or a wonder goal - which happened against Wrexham - that decides games.

"It's ultimately disappointing and I know for players and managers on one-year contracts a lot can change.

"But I still feel that if a player gets an offer to go to the National League and it's Wrexham that they will still know it's a big club and it's a chance to do something good."

Taylor enjoyed his own play-off success as he helped lead Villa back to the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Derby County at Wembley last month.

“It was extremely special,” reflected Taylor. “When you get those moments in football you have to savour them because they don’t come along too often.

“It was a great feeling after a whole season of work to get a reward at the end.”

Taylor's international team-mate, Joe Allen is equally disappointed to see Wrexham, for whom he played two games on-loan from Swansea, scrapping it out in non-league.

"I keep an eye out," said Allen. "I am still waiting for them to get back in the Football League. They've come close a few times and hopefully they will get there sooner rather than later.

"When I went there the ambition was to bounce straight back up in what was the first season down there and it didn't seem right for that club to be there at the time.

"All those clubs in that league all feel the same way though, they are all competing to get back up and it certainly shows that it's not easy to do."

Allen still remembers his Wrexham debut, the midfielder rushing through paperwork in time to play against York City on Tuesday, October 7 2008.

The then 18-year-old scored a stunning goal having had a pre-match meal of crisps and fizzy pop as Wrexham recorded a 3-1 win, Taylor and Marc Williams also on target.

"It was a good game," said Allen with a wry smile. "I only played two games there and I enjoyed them.

"Even though it was only two games, playing at that age is good experience and it's one of the bits of advice I try to give lads now - to get out and play first team football.

"It went well, we got a win, I got a goal and so did Neil, who was skipper, so it was a good day all around."