Wrexham's last home league game in their 87 year stay in the Football League saw more of the same for their long suffering fans as mistakes at the back and a lack of fire power up front saw Accrington Stanley comfortably win 3-1.
As Wrexham played their last league game for at least 12 months Brian Little made five changes from the side who finally succumbed to the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday night. In came Michael Jones, Gareth Evans, Mike Carvill, Andy Fleming and Chris Llewellyn and out went Gavin Ward, Neil Taylor, Marc Williams, Wes Baynes and Conall Murtagh the last four sitting on the bench with Robbie Garrett.
On a pleasant Spring day in North Wales Accrington kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse but it was Wrexham who threatened first when Mike Carvill released Llewellyn down the right wing, his cross evaded everyone but forced Stanley to concede a corner, which came to nothing.
In the sixth minute, Accrington took the lead with the comedy of errors to cap all errors this season. A long cross from the right was headed harmlessly towards his own goal by Robert Grant, Shaun Pejic ducked under it but the ball flicked off his back and went through the legs of Michael Jones, who had obviously given the defender a call.
The ball hardly had the pace to cross the line, but cross the line it did and Wrexham found themselves trailing yetagain.
Wrexham bounced back and Mike Carvill had a good chance 12 yards out but scuffed his shot well wide. The Wrexham players looked visibly shaken by the goal as mistakes were made all over the park. On 20 minutes Ian Craney shoved Steve Evans into the Wrexham dug out, Evans had to be restrained by the coaching staff and it resulted in a yellow card for the Wrexham centre back, a terrible decision by Mr Haywood. Craney was also booked for his part in the incident.
Neither side had created any clear goal scoring opportunities in a scrappy opening period, in which most of the play was concentrated in the middle third, then on 27 minutes Shaun Whalley skinned Steve Evans, ran to the by line and crossed it into the middle for a simple tap in for Peter Cavanagh to put Accrington 2-0 up.
On 32 minutes Matty Done was fouled on the edge on the area but once again the delivery into the box, this time from Carvill, was poor. Kenny Arthur in the Accrington goal had not been called into action as Wrexham just did not look capable of creating a chance, let alone a goal. The Red Dragons play certainly reflected a side that was just waiting for the end of the season in this first half, Accrington were not much better but did look the likelier side.
Matty Done fired wide from a good position on 41 minutes after a good ball by Mike Williams. Levi Mackin then got involved in some pushing and shoving with Phil Edwards after Neil Roberts had been fouled. The referee gave them a good talking to but no cards this time. There were two added minutes at the end of the half during which nothing of note occurred and Wrexham left the field to a few subdued jeers from the shell shocked crowd.
Second Half
At the start of the second half Brian Little introduced Wes Baynes and Neil Taylor in place of Mike Carvill and Steve Evans. Baynes a straight swap for Carvill and Mike Williams moved into central defence with Taylor slotting in at left back. Wrexham kicked off attacking the Kop and won a free kick after 48 minutes from which Wes Baynes effort was deflected for a corner.
Wrexham certainly started the half the brighter of the two sides as they tried to get back into the game, Chris Llewellyn really should have reduced the deficit on 56 minutes when he broke into the area and blasted well over the bar with only Arthur to beat. The football was still of poor quality however as we passed the hour mark, Wrexham were trying hard but the visitors were looking comfortable at the back.
Accrington brought on James Harris for Robert Grant with 69 minutes gone and little happening in the game. Two minutes later Shaun Whalley broke clear down the right and curled a fine effort into the corner of Michael Jones net with the outside of his foot. Whalley was booked for celebrating by taking his shirt off! Peter Cavanagh joined him a minute later for a foul on Matty Done and yet again Wrexham's delivery from the resultant free kick was poor.
The visitors replaced Cavanagh with Andrew Todd on 77 minutes and Craney with David Mannix a minute later. Chris Llewellyn had a shot blocked on 82 minutes as Wrexham's league career petered tamely out with no real sign of a goal, indeed it was the visitors who nearly got a fourth when Michael Jones made a good save from Harris' shot, the ball fell to Mullin off the inside of the post and he fired wide in front of an empty net. Jones then made a fine save from Mullin at the expense of a corner, which saw Evans clear Mullin's header off the line.
Andy Fleming did cause Arthur a moment of concern with a long range effort which bounced up in front of the Accrington keeper with four minutes left and then Wes Baynes put a poor shot wide a minute later.
There were four minutes added time during which a fantastic 50 yard run by Wes Baynes won Wrexham a penalty and Neil Roberts gave the long suffering Reds fans something to cheer about sending Arthur the wrong way.
The referee's whistle blew seconds later to put an end to Wrexham's season at home.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Michael Jones, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans (Neil Taylor 46), Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Mike Carvill (Wes Baynes 46), Levi Mackin , Andy Fleming , Matty Done, Neil Roberts, Chris Llewellyn
Subs not used: Marc Williams, Conall Murtagh, Robbie Garrett,
AccringtonStanley (4-4-2): Kevin Arthur, Peter Cavanagh (Andrew Todd 76), Philip Edwards, James Bell , Liam Richardson, Peter Murphy , Andrew Proctor, Ian Craney (David Mannix 78), Robert Grant (James Harris 69), Paul Mullin, Shaun Whalley
Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Graham Branch,
Referee: Mark Haywood
Attendance: 3,657
Away: 142
Bookings -
Wrexham: Steve Evans (retaliation)
AccringtonStanley: Ian Craney (foul), Shaun Whalley (goal celebration), Peter Cavanagh (foul)
