A point gained or two lost? Only time will tell as Wrexham and Mansfield drew a dour relegation battle on a difficult pitch, with Michael Proctor driving a second half free kick home to earn Wrexham a point.

Brian Little went with a more attacking look to the side for this crucial six pointer and made two changes from the side beaten on Tuesday night. With Steve Evans injured Richard Hope returned to the side and Michael Proctor came in for Stuart Nicholson who dropped to the bench.

On a cold and windy St. David's Day at The Racecourse Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of the ground with a good atmosphere in the stadium. Wrexham started positively and won an early corner when Silvio Spann's shot was deflected wide, Chris Llewellyn's cross was easily held by Muggleton though.

Both sides settled down quickly on a tense afternoon with a lot at stake and Drewe Broughton caused problems winning a lot of headers early on. Jeff Whitley put a volley wide on 10 minutes as Wrexham pressed looking for a good start. Mansfield had several early breaks but did not threaten Gavin Ward's goal in the opening quarter of an hour.

Silvio Spann was seeing a lot of the ball in the midfield on a difficult surface with the strong wind also making good football difficult. A good spell of Wrexham attacking saw Jeff Whitley's shot deflected wide for a corner on 19 minutes. Taken by Spann it was eventually cleared at the expense of another corner as Wrexham kept the pressure on.

Gavin Ward did well to hold a low Jelleyman shot on 22 minutes, whilst at the other end Michael Proctor forced a diving save from Muggleton. Mansfield won a corner as the game went from end to end but Spann did well to clear, it was played back in and Louis put in a weak header under pressure from Richard Hope.

With so much at stake the game was somewhat scrappy, although to be fair the conditions did not help either side to play a passing game, and it was becoming a midfield stalemate.

Phil Bolland was given a yellow card on 34 minutes for a foul on Boulding as the game deteriorated with several niggly fouls. Chris Llewellyn fired a poor effort wide on 39 minutes, but still neither goalkeeper had been really tested in this first half. Silvio Spann fired an effort wide three minutes later after digging the ball out from under his feet. Chris Llewellyn then put a better effort in, but it still went wide!

On 43 minutes, Spann put a good free kick but three Wrexham players just couldn't get onto the end of it despite their desperate efforts to do so. There was one minute added on at the end of the half before Mr.Taylor's whistle signalled the end of a poor first half.

Second Half

Mansfield brought Nathan Arnold into the action at half time, replacing Matt Hamshaw. They kicked off at the start of the second half and had the first shot when Boulding fired harmlessly wide on 48 minutes.

Michael Proctor had Wrexham's first effort of the half when he fired a volley over his shoulder on 50 minutes after a good flick by Broughton but Muggleton held it easily.

Disaster struck on 53 minutes when Michael Boulding deflected Briggs shot past Gavin Ward leaving the Red's keeper helpless as it completely changed the direction of the ball and roled agonisingly into the net.

Wrexham bounced back and Muggleton did well to turn a Chris Llewellyn shot away for a corner. Wrexham stepped up the pressure and won another couple of corners, from the second Mike Williams right foot shot went over the visitors bar.

On 59 minutes Arnold swung over a free kick and Ward did well to punch it away under pressure. With an hour gone Brian Little made a double change with Paul Hall for Llewellyn and Sam Aiston for Mike Williams as they switched to 4-4-2 in an effort to get back into the game.

Will Atkinson put a good effort wide after Simon Spender had gifted him the ball and then Keith Briggs fired wide from 20 yards after 66 minutes as Mansfield looked to add to their lead. Jefferson Louis then fired over as the visitors had the territorial advantage.

The crowd began to show their frustration as Wrexham were penned back into their own half. Arnold then swung over another free kick which Drewe Broughton deflected back to Ward.

Mr Taylor awarded Wrexham a free kick on 70 minutes, when Michael Proctor was fouled on the edge. Michael Proctor got up to take it himself and drilled a low shot past Muggleton into the bottom corner. You could feel the relief around The Racecourse.

Brian Little going for the win then replaced Broughton with Rob Duffy. Sam Aiston won a corner as the crowd got behind the Wrexham players. Silvio Spann floated it under the bar but Muggleton held it easily.

Mansfield then won a corner on 74 minutes and Atkinson's effort was cleared, as it was crossed back in Wrexham conceded another corner. Arnold took this one and Ward punched it clear to relieve the pressure.

With 10 minutes left Silvio Spann put a delightful free kick into the Mansfield box, some desperate defending under the bar saw a corner conceded. Wrexham kept up the pressure and Aiston was fouled giving the Trinidad international another free kick to whip in, this time it was cleared.

Mansfield had a chance when Boulding ran into the area, the home side managed to scramble the ball clear at the cost of another corner from which Ward held the ball well. Nathan Arnold then fired a good right foot shot just over the bar with 3 minutes left.

As the crowd urged Wrexham forward it was Mansfield who had a good chance when top scorer Michael Boulding missed a great opportunity to win the game.

As we went into three minutes added time Wrexham had a good spell of pressure and Spann fired well over from 20 yards out. It proved to be the last goal attempt of the game and Mansfield will be far happier with this point than Wrexham who remain rooted to the bottom of League Two.

Wrexham (3-4-3): Gavin Ward, Phil Bolland, Richard Hope, Mike Williams (Sam Aiston 60), Simon Spender, Jeff Whitley, Silvio Spann, Carl Tremarco, Chris Llewellyn (Paul Hall 60), Drewe Broughton (Rob Duffy 71), Michael Proctor.
Subs: Anthony Williams, Stuart Nicholson.

MansfieldTown (4-4-2): Carl Muggleton, Chris Wood, Johnny Mullins, Jake Buxton, Gareth Jelleyman, Matt Hamshaw (Nathan Arnold 46), Jonathan D'Laryea, Keith Briggs, Will Atkinson, Michael Boulding, Jefferson Louis.
Subs: Jason White, Simon Brown, Ian Holmes, Dan Martin.

Referee: Paul Taylor (London)
Attendance: 4,865
Away: 303

Bookings -
Wrexham: Phil Bolland (foul)