Wrexham crashed to yet another home defeat as ex Red Lee McEvilly became the pantomime villain, returning to The Racecourse to score the second Rochdale goal and condemn the Red Dragons to bottom slot in the Football League.

With Wrexham looking for some festive cheer Brian Little made two changes from the side beaten at Rotherham United on Saturday, Neil Taylor returned to the side to replace Wes Baynes and Silvio Spann came in for the suspended Matty Crowell.

Rochdale kicked off attacking the Eric Roberts end of The Racecourse and after a quiet opening to the game Silvio Spann was booked for a two footed tackle on four minutes. Rochdale won a couple of early corners which Wrexham defended satisfactorily but they did take the lead on 7 minutes however when Rundle drilled in a low cross, Hope left it and Higginbotham laid it back to Glenn Murray to flick home from close range.

Wrexham went close to equalising on 9 minutes when Steve Evans volleyed wide from 6 yards. The Reds responded well to going behind and good play by Michael Proctor won a corner which unfortunately came to nothing as Chris Llewellyn headed Mark Jones corner over.

The Wrexham defence looked nervy every time Rochdale attacked and with Silvio Spann losing out a couple of times in midfield the visitors were looking the likelier, a drilled cross from Rundle caused real panic in the penalty area on the quarter hour as Murray appeared to be pushed by Richard Hope right in front of the goal. Wrexham seemed to be defending at full stretch all the time and were relying on the odd breakaway to get back into the game.

Sam Aiston won a corner on 23 minutes, taken by Spann it started a spell of Wrexham pressure which Rochdale defended solidly. Richard Hope was then caught in possession and in trying to regain the ball crashed into a Rochdale player on the edge of the Wrexham area. Luckily he escaped a booking and Rochdale wasted the free kick, Kennedy driving it into the wall. Rochdale continued to look the better side as we approached the half hour mark.

With 30 minutes gone Wrexham went close to equalising when Proctor's effort was blocked Llewellyn screwed his shot weak and wide and Neil Roberts at full stretch agonisingly prodded the ball wide of the goal with Sam Russell scrambling. Kallum Higginbotham fired a low shot wide of Anthony Williams' goal on 33 minutes, but Wrexham were looking more threatening now and a couple of Spann free kicks tested Sam Russell's ability to deal with a high ball into the area.

On 39 minutes a Rochdale "goal" was disallowed after Anthony Williams was fouled. Glenn Murray then got himself needlessly booked for knocking the ball out of Neil Taylor's hands as he went to take a free kick.

Wrexham were denied a good shout for a penalty on 41 minutes as Steve Evans was pushed challenging for Neil Taylor's free kick. Michael Proctor curled a free kick over the bar a minute later and the first half ended with Wrexham trailing at home again.

Second Half

A half time change for Wrexham as Gareth Evans replaced Silvio Spann. Steve Evans moved up front and Neil Roberts dropped into the midfield as Brian Little shuffled his pack.

Gary Jones went close for Rochdale on 47 minutes driving an effort wide of the post, whilst at the other end Chris Llewellyn fired a good effort into the side netting 5 minutes later.

Wrexham had a more solid look after the half time substitution, with Neil Roberts holding his position better than Spann had. Sam Aiston put in a good cross on 54 minutes as Wrexham pushed forward looking for the equaliser.

Ex Wrexham player Lee McEvilly came on with 56 minutes on the clock, replacing Adam Le Fondre.

Wrexham were showing more invention going forward but on 59 minutes almost inevitably it was Lee McEvilly who forced the ball home from close range to double the visitors advantage but yet again the home defence was static.

Wrexham continued to press and an incredible scramble under the Rochdale bar on 65 minutes after a Mark Jones corner summed up the Red's luck as Chris Llewellyn just couldn't force it home. Rochdale keeper Sam Russell did well to block Llewellyn's shot a minute later but again the resultant corner was cleared. Steve Evans headed a Neil Roberts cross back across goal on 72 minutes but Mark Jones effort was blocked.

Rochdale weathered the pressure and started to control the play again as with 10 minutes left disgruntled Wrexham fans started to leave in droves. Wrexham were working hard but confidence was obviously low and they showed little in the way of attacking creativity.

Rory Prendergast came on for Adam Rundle with 3 minutes left and then Joe Thompson for Higginbotham as Rochdale looked to run down the clock in the three minutes added time. A chorus of boos greeted Mr Evans final whistle at the end of another disappointing result for Wrexham.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Anthony Williams, Ryan Valentine, Steve Evans, Richard Hope, Sam Aiston, Mark Jones, Silvio Spann (Gareth Evans 46) Chris Llewellyn, Michael Proctor, Neil Roberts.
Subs: Michael Jones, Shaun Pejic, Josh Johnson, Mike Williams

Rochdale (4-4-2): Sam Russell, Simon Ramsden, Rory McArdle, Nathan Stanton, Tom Kennedy, Kallum Higginbotham (Joe Thompson 90), Gary Jones, Lee Crooks, Adam Rundle (Rory Prendergast 87), Glenn Murray, Adam LeFondre (Lee McEvilly 56)
Subs: James Spencer, Marcus Holness,

Referee: Karl Evans
Attendance: 4,302
Away: 686

Bookings -
Wrexham: Silvio Spann (foul)
Rochdale: Glenn Murray (dissent)