Wrexham and Macclesfield shared the spoils at The Racecourse as Brian Little made five changes and put out an attacking formation for this must win game. Steve Evans and Richard Hope returned to the defence, Neil Taylor came in at wing back, Danny Williams started in midfield and Marc Williams came into the side after his appearance as a goal scoring substitute in the disappointing defeat at Mansfield. With five attack minded players on the bench Wrexham certainly did not intend to go down without a fight.

On a cold but sunny day in North Wales Macclesfield kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse but as you would have expected it was Wrexham who took the early initiative in a scrappy start to the game. Gavin Ward was the first keeper in action, though, claiming a long cross on 4 minutes under pressure from Green.

Wrexham won a free kick on 5 minutes, taken by Spender it was over hit to the far post and Steve Evans from a tight angle headed wide. Simon Spender found some space down the right on a couple of occasions, his delivery into the area was not too effective, but he was certainly looking like a good outlet for Wrexham. Francis Green squeezed a shot on target on 9 minutes but it lacked pace and ran through for an easy save for Ward.

Early impressions were that Wrexham were trying to play at a high tempo but one or two passes were going astray as nerves took over in this crucial match. Drewe Broughton controlled a long ball from Steve Evans on the edge of the area; he turned and fired his shot over the bar. Chris Llewellyn did well on 15 minutes cutting in from the right and firing in a good shot, a minute later Drewe Broughton fired wide with a well struck shot but should have hit the target.

The Macclesfield management and players felt they should have had a penalty soon after and it certainly looked as it Drewe Broughton did have his hands on the visiting player but fortunately Mr Webster saw nothing wrong with the challenge. With 19 minutes gone Richard Hope was penalised for handball and from the free kick Walker headed over from a great position, a lucky escape for Wrexham as the central defender was totally unmarked.

Gavin Ward made a good save on 25 minutes from a fierce shot by Gareth Evans. The resultant corner was headed just wide by Hessey as Wrexham lived dangerously at the back.

The first booking of the game came on 27 minutes, Danny Thomas fouling Simon Spender who was still finding plenty of space on the right wing.

Sean Hessey was booked 6 minutes later for a foul on Marc Williams and from the resultant free kick Danny Williams drilled in a superb effort from 25 yards which Brain tipped over for a corner. Marc Williams won another corner on 35 minutes, taken by Spender, Steve Evans just failed to make contact and it ran safely behind for a goal kick. Phil Bolland did well to win yet another corner two minutes later but again it came to nothing as the delivery from Spender was poor. This was a good spell of pressure from Wrexham and they nearly got the goal they deserved when Llewellyn got clear and fired in a left foot shot into the side netting on 41 minutes.

With two minutes of the half left the attack minded Spender won another corner but again it came to nothing. There were three added minutes at the end of the half as Wrexham kept up the pressure on the Macclesfield defence but couldn't get the vital breakthrough as the first period ended goalless.

Second Half

No changes at half time and Wrexham kicked off at the start of the second half. Macclesfield started the brighter with the strong wind at their backs and kept Wrexham penned back in the opening minutes. Wrexham's first attack of the half saw Marc Williams break into the area behind the defence but his low cross was cleared easily. The Red Dragons played themselves back into the game and started to exert some pressure of their own.

On 51 minutes Steve Evans struggled to clear a hopeful ball into the area and his header fell to Jamie Tolley who fired in a superb right foot shot from the edge of the area to put Wrexham in real trouble. Three minutes later Richard Hope was out paced by Green, he laid the ball into Tolley who screwed a left foot shot just wide from a great position.

Wrexham tried to get back into the game and from a Spender long throw the ball fell to Marc Williams whose toe poke from 12 yards was saved by Brain on his goal line. On the hour mark Spender was released down the right wing by Marc Williams, his chipped cross was met by Drewe Broughton but the header was well wide of Brain's goal. The Wrexham fans frustration was evident but again the players' effort could not be faulted but the quality was just not there.

Macclesfield almost went two up on 62 minutes in an amazing scramble in the Wrexham area, Green's flick header being parried out by Ward and the ball was scrambled clear after a pin ball machine moment. Gavin Ward made a brilliant save from Danny Thomas before Macclesfield replaced him with Izak Reid. The visitors looked the likelier side to score at this stage.

Brian Little decided on a double change with 22 minutes left Stuart Nicholson and Michael Proctor replacing Hope and Danny Williams. Chris Llewellyn dropped into midfield and Proctor and Nicholson joined Broughton up front. Simon Spender went down on 73 minutes and after some treatment by Mel Pejic he was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Sam Aiston.

Sam Aiston was quickly involved and won a free kick on the edge of the area but Neil Taylor's effort was blocked by the wall. Chris Llewellyn was now playing at right back in a really attacking look to the Wrexham side and with twelve minutes left Steve Evans gave The Racecourse some hope with a header from 12 yards that just eluded Brain's grasp and put Wrexham level.

Chris Llewellyn was booked for a bad challenge on 81 minutes but Macclesfield wasted the free kick.

Wrexham threw everything forward but almost paid the penalty when Francis Green broke but was closed out by the defence. Drewe Broughton won a free kick with three minutes left, Michael Proctor swung it in and Phil Bolland's header was turned around the post by Brain. As we went into five added minutes Macclesfield replaced Green with James Jennings.

The Red's pressed but Macclesfield defended stoutly and wasted every second they could. Michael Symes replaced Gareth Evans deep into added time and despite all their efforts Wrexham could not get the crucial second goal. The point will probably keep Macclesfield in the league for another year but as for Wrexham games are running out.

Wrexham (3-4-1-2): Gavin Ward, Phil Bolland, Steve Evans, Richard Hope (Stuart Nicholson 67), Simon Spender (Sam Aiston 74), Neil Roberts, Danny Williams (Michael Proctor 67), Neil Taylor, Marc Williams, Chris Llewellyn, Drewe Broughton
Subs: Matty Done, Paul Hall,

Macclesfield Town (3-4-3): Jonathan Brain, Richard Walker, Ryan Cresswell, Sean Hessey, Shaun Brisley, Terry Dunfield, Jamie Tolley, Neil Ashton, Danny Thomas (Izak Reid 66), Francis Green (James Jennings90) Gareth Evans (Michael Symes 90)
Subs not used: Scott Spencer, Richard Edghill,

Referee: Colin Webster
Attendance: 3,993
Away: 466

Bookings -
Wrexham: Chris Llewellyn (foul)
Macclesfield Town: Danny Thomas (foul), Sean Hessey (foul)