Jeff Whitley fights for the ball
Pictures courtesy of Dave Howarth / Sportpixs
A far better second half performance from Wrexham but lady luck deserted them when they needed her most. Twice the Dragons struck the Notts County woodwork and then they fell to defeat as the excellent Simon Spender turned a cross shot into his own net to give the visitors a fortunate victory and condemn us to a place back in the relegation zone.
With Wrexham needing to put in a good performance following the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Macclesfield, manager Brian Carey made three changes with Ryan Valentine, Chris Llewellyn and Steve Evans returning to the starting line up for the visit of Notts County. With Spender dropping to right back only one of the original back four from Macclesfield survived. Steve Evans wore the captain's armband
On an overcast Easter Monday Notts County kicked off attacking the Kop end of the ground. Both sides made a nervy start as points were of vital importance for very different reasons, The Magpies looking for their fourth successive win in a late play-off push and Wrexham, of course, hoping to avoid relegation to the Conference.
No real pattern was established in the opening ten minutes with defences on top and no goalmouth incident. Wrexham's first effort came on 12 minutes when good work by Simon Spender created a half chance for Mark Jones, but the midfielder's effort was well wide. Lawrie Dudfield had a half chance for County three minutes later but again was well wide of the target.
Jeff Whitley won Wrexham a free kick on 19 minutes, taken by Mark Jones, it bounced in the area and a penalty appeal against Notts County skipper Hunt for handball was waved away by the referee as the visitors cleared their lines.
Wrexham put together a good spell of possession as rain fell on The Racecourse and the players were certainly showing far more organisation and commitment than the performance at Macclesfield. Simon Spender was seeing a lot of the ball from the right back position and was looking a useful outlet for Wrexham.
On 25 minutes Wrexham almost took the lead when a Ryan Valentine free kick was headed back across goal by McEvilly to Chris Llewellyn, who looped a header over the keeper but unfortunately it bounced to safety off the top of the bar.
The majority of the play was concentrated in the middle third and one or two tackles were a little tasty, with the visiting physio on the pitch on a couple of occasions.
There was a big disappointment for Wrexham on 39 minutes as Mark Jones limped off to be replaced by Levi Mackin. Despite two minutes added time there was no further action in a half in which Wrexham had displayed plenty of perspiration but very little in the way of inspiration in a scrappy game.
No quarter given by Evil
Second Half
With no changes at half time Wrexham kicked off the second half attacking the Kop end of the Racecourse. Matty Done made a good early run but his cross was poor and was easily held by Kevin Pilkington with both Chris Llewellyn and Lee McEvilly well placed.
With 47 minutes gone a delightful curling shot from Lee McEvilly went agonisingly close to giving Wrexham the crucial goal they desperately needed. Llewellyn shot wide as Wrexham pushed forward at the start of the half.
The first yellow card went to Ryan Valentine for a foul on Dudfield. With 52 minutes gone Notts County replaced Andy Parkinson with Miles Weston. Two minutes later Jason Lee replaced Ian Ross.
Ryan Valentine did well under pressure to concede a corner on 55 minutes as Wrexham replaced Proctor with Josh Johnson.
Wrexham won their first corner on 58 minutes, taken by Johnson it was headed goalwards by Pejic but with no real power and Pilkington held easily. Lee McEvilly then earned a needless booking for a late challenge right in front of the referee.
Wrexham were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area with just over an hour of the game gone. Lee McEvilly curled a good effort just over the bar. Wrexham were certainly showing more in the way of attacking ideas in the second half. They earned another corner on 67 minutes which Matty Done took, it bounced in the area before running out for a goal kick off Shaun Pejic.
With 68 minutes gone a fine Jeff Whitley volley beat Pilkington all ends up but bounced back off the post and was cleared by the visitors. Wrexham encouraged by the crowd were now lifting the tempo and Pilkington had to punch clear under pressure from Chris Llewellyn after a good cross by McEvilly.
From another Done corner on 70 minutes Steve Evans appeared to be fouled as he challenged but again no penalty was given.
NottsCounty replaced Lawrie Dudfield with Tcham N'Toya on 72 minutes.
Levi Mackin fired over with a good effort on 73 minutes as Wrexham pressed forward with great urgency looking for the vital goal. Notts County were looking to run the clock down at every opportunity to the frustration of both Wrexham's players and supporters.
Wrexham kept pressing but Notts County defended steadfastly. Jay Smith was booked for handball and then with a breakaway the visitors nearly snatched a goal on the break as N'Toya curled an effort wide.
The picture says it all at the final whistle
There was no faulting Wrexham's efforts in the second half and with a last shake of the dice Marc Williams replaced top scorer Chris Llewellyn with seven minutes left.
A spell of three corners followed in quick succession for Wrexham as they piled pressure on Notts County but they couldn't make it count and the visitors defended stoutly.
With three minutes left disaster struck for Wrexham as James Walker's cross shot was turned into his own net by Simon Spender, caught in two minds running back towards his own goal.
The fourth official signalled three minutes added time but despite Steve Evans valiant attempt to turn McEvilly's misdirected shot into the net Wrexham could not get the equaliser and they slipped into the relegation zone.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Anthony Williams, Simon Spender, Steve Evans, Shaun Pejic, Ryan Valentine, Michael Proctor (Josh Johnson 59), Mark Jones (Levi Mackin 39), Jeff Whitley, Matty Done, Lee McEvilly, Chris Llewellyn (Marc Williams 83).
Subs: Michael Jones, Mike Williams.
Notts County (4-3-3): Kevin Pilkington, Gary Silk, Mike Edwards, Stephen Hunt, Austin McCann, Jay Smith, Matt Somner, Ian Ross (Jason Lee 54), James Walker, Andy Parkinson (Miles Weston 52), Lawrie Dudfield (Tcham N'Toya 72).
Subs: Saul Deeney, Michael Byron.
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cheshunt)
Attendance: 4,557
Away: 312
Bookings -
Wrexham: Ryan Valentine (foul), Lee McEvilly (foul)
Notts County: Jay Smith (deliberate handball)
STAT ATTACK
0
0
8
3
14
13
7
2
2
1
0
0
REFEREE: D Deadman
