A game that looked like it had runaway from them in the strong first half wind, after they committed two horrible defensive errors, dramatically swung back to the Dragons in the second 45 minutes, after Brian Little had made wholesale changes at the break.

Yet for all their brave efforts, which included a goal from Michael Proctor, it proved too much of mountain to climb and as at Chesterfield on New Year's Day, we fell just short of grabbing a deserved draw at promotion chasing Wycombe.

There was an early booking for Richard Hope on six minutes, when the centre half clipped Leon Knight's heels and as Wrexham fans will remember only too well the diminutive striker has a very low centre of gravity.

An early pattern of play saw the home side use the brisk wind at their backs to push Wrexham back deep into their own half.

Yet another goalkeeping mistake in a Wycombe v Wrexham game presented Leon Knight with the opening goal on 14 minutes, as Gavin Ward's free kick went straight to the feet of Knight and although the ex-Swansea man had plenty to do he simply fired in a thunderous shot passed the keeper from 20-yards.

With Wrexham struggling to put much of an attacking force together, it was Wanderers' Russell Martin who tried a speculative effort from distance that dipped over the visitors' crossbar.

The Reds fell apart on 21 minutes, as another poor Ward clearance only reached Carl Tremarco and he decided to head it back, not noticing that Scott McGleish was on the keeper and gleefully collected the ball, rounded Ward and slotted into an empty net.

Wrexham's first effort at goal came on 29 minutes, when following a throw in on the left, the ball was cleared only a far as Phil Bolland, whose effort was never going to worry Fran Fielding in the home nets.

Wycombe should have added a third on 31 minutes, when Llewellyn's missed header on the edge of the area allowed McGleish to nip in and flash an effort against the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

To make matters worse, Jeff Whitley picked up a knee injury that needed several minutes of treatment before he left the pitch and Mel Pejic signaled that the midfielder was unable to continue. This meant Sam Aiston appearing in time added on at the end of the half.

HT

A double change at the interval saw both Neil Taylor and Gareth Evans introduced as Brian Little took a brave gamble to get the team back in the game.

This saw both Bolland and Hope replaced as the team was reshaped into a 4-3-3 line-up, with Taylor pushed into midfield and Evans joining Williams at the heart of the defence.

This change of emphasis certainly lifted the travelling fans, who got right behind the team as the came forward towards the away end. Chris Llewellyn was first to show with a shot that Fielding tipped over for a corner, and from the flag kick the midfielder had another effort although not a close on this occasion.

From a free kick on the half way line, Tremarco delivered a cross that was headed down by Evans and Michael Proctor latched onto the ball to flash it home from 10-yards on 52 minutes.

Taylor's good work in midfield saw the youngster lift a ball over the top of the Wycombe defence, but Leon Johnson was just able to hold off Proctor in a foot chase, although at the expense of a corner.

Evans then started an attack from the back, finding Aiston on the wing, who headed inside for Broughton to spin and get a shot away from 18-yards.

Paul Lambert can not have been happy at how his team was coping with this new-look Wrexham, sending on Mike Williamson for Stefan Oakes after 67 minutes to introduce a third central defender.

Wycombe showed their potential when Stockley's cross was met by Woodman, whose 20-yarder was blocked by Ward and the keeper was able to get to his feet and collect before any blue shirts could take advantage.

A second sub for the Chairboys saw John Sutton - brother of Chris, brought on for fellow striker Scott McGleish on 76 minutes.

The home team was reduced to 10-men on 78 minutes, when Tommy Doherty collected a second yellow card, up ending Aiston just outside the box and setting off for a lonely walk back to the dressing room.

From the free kick, Proctor drove in a great effort that took an equally good save from Fielding to deny him.

The Reds were doing their best to take advantage of the situation, but against a packed defence just couldn't find a way through to salvage what would be a valuable point.

Then in the final minute of normal time, Paul Hall danced through the home ranks and looked on as Fielding somehow managed to flick the ball over his crossbar with his foot!

Into the four minutes of added time, Aiston crossed for Proctor, but this time the striker's header was straight into the keeper's hands.

Wycombe Wanderers: Frank Fielding, Sam Stockley, David McCracken, Leon Johnson, Craig Woodman, Russell Martin, Gary Holt, Tommy Doherty, Stefan Oakes (Mike Williamson 66), Scott McGleish (John Sutton 76), Leon Knight (Neil Lennon 82).
Subs: Jamie Young, Martin Bullock.

Wrexham: Gavin Ward, Simon Spender, Carl Tremarco, Phil Bolland (Neil Taylor 46), Mike Williams, Richard Hope (Gareth Evans 46), Chris Llewellyn, Paul Hall, Jeff Whitley (Sam Aiston 45), Michael Proctor, Drewe Broughton.
Subs: Anthony Williams, Stuart Nicholson.

Referee: C Penton (Sussex)
Attendance: 4,002
Away: 219

Sending Off -
Wycombe: Doherty (foul, 52), (foul, 78)

Booked -
Wycombe: McGleish (foul, 26)
Wrexham: Hope (foul, 6), Bolland (foul, 26), Tremarco (foul, 57), Aiston (foul, 90)