While this game might have ended in defeat for the Reds, their eighth successive loss, it might well have marked a turning point, as the new look line-up produced a much improved display at rampant Grimsby Town.

The Reds went with a revamped midfield of Mark Jones, Danny Sonner and Neil Roberts, while Marc Williams partnered new by Paul Hall up front.

In the end they can count themselves more than a little unlucky to have returned home empty handed at t hey matched their hosts throughout the 90 minutes and, but for the heroics of keeper Phil Barnes, would surely have claimed some reward.

The first chance of the game was created by Grimsby on eight minute when a right wing corner was headed into the six-yard box by centre half Nick Fenton, where Gary Jones has a clear sight of goal but his header from six yards was directed wide by the striker.

Yet it was the Reds who nearly took the lead on 12 minutes and it was only a superb diving save by Town keeper Phil Barnes that denied the on loan striker Hall, who curled in a spectacular effort from 18 yards, following good work by Williams.

Barnes was able to knock the ball up into the air and for a moment it looked like it might drop into the goal anyway, but covering defender Rob Atkinson was able to avert the danger by hooking clear.

Nick Hegarty should have done better in the Wrexham box on 20 minutes, with Ward struggling to tip away a floated cross and the midfielder had the goal at his mercy, but his effort was a poor one and it allowed Steve Evans the opportunity to compose himself and head off his own line.

The home side were looking dangerous every time they came forward.

Mark Jones did well to bring down a reckless clearance by Barnes, some 25-yards from goal, he went out to his left and cross to the back post, where it dropped between Hall and the upright.

Moments later, Hall turned his marker inside out and crossed to the near post for Williams to stab out a boot, but it went the wrong side of the woodwork for a goal kick.

Hall's pace took him passed the last defender on 30 minutes but Atkinson did well to get back and block the Jamaican's shot for a corner on the half hour.

From the flag kick, the ball carried deep where Marc Williams hammered in a low shot that Barnes once more saved well, but the rebound ran out to Hope whose first time effort flew a yard wide of the right hand post.

Grimsby were presented with a gift on 40 minutes, when Evans made a hash of his clearance, compounded by Mark Jones, who only knocked the ball further into the path of Paul Bolland. With the goal gapping in front of him, the midfielder crashed his shot from 12 yards against the crossbar and watched on in agony as it rebounded back into play.

HT

Just the one change at the break as Grimsby replaced Sam Hird with Peter Till in a straight swap on the wing.

The home side started the second period the stronger, but slowly the Reds began to gain a fair amount of possession, but it was the Town who went close with Ward standing up to North and forcing him to go wide.

Hall got a shot on target from distance, emerging through the legs of several players before keeper Barnes saw it late.

Referee Graham Salisbury signalled that he needed to come off and was replaced in the middle by linesman Mr Brown, although the exact nature of his problem was not immediately obvious to the watching fans.

The game's only goal came on 68 minutes, when Danny North ran onto a long ball over the top, lifting his effort over the advancing Ward and despite the efforts of Steve Evans to hook clear the linesman said it had crossed the line.

A minute the Ward pulled off a double save to deny first Gary Jones and then North as Grimsby went in search of a killer goal.

More bad news followed on 71 minutes for the Reds, as Mark Jones was stretchered from the pitch and had to be replaced by Andy Fleming on 71 minutes.

As Grimsby centre half Nick Fenton was also carried from the pitch to be replaced by Justin Whittle, Brian Little made two changes of his own. Sending on Michael Proctor and Matty Done for Marc Williams and Neil Roberts for the final 10 minutes, as he also changed the formation to push Steve Evans into the frontline.

Following a Grimsby corner with five minutes remaining, a long ball appeared to have carried too far, until Whittle came on a late ran and on his own crashed a shot against the back post.

The replacement fourth official raised his board for the added time and you could hear the home fans all shout 'six minutes!' in disbelief and the excellent Barnes saved his side one last time when reaching about the head of Steve Evans to grab a high cross from Simon Spender.

Grimsby Town: Phil Barnes, Tom Newey, Nick Fenton (Justin Whittle 80), Rob Atkinson, Sam Hird (Peter Till 46), Paul Bolland, James Hunt, Jamie Clarke (Ciaran Toner 63), Nick Hegarty, Gary Jones, Danny North.
Subs: Gary Montgomery, Andy Taylor.

Wrexham: Gavin Ward, Simon Spender, Ryan Valentine, Richard Hope, Phil Bolland, Steve Evans, Mark Jones (Andy Fleming 71), Danny Sonner, Neil Roberts (Matty Done 80), Marc Williams (Michael Proctor 80), Paul Hall.
Subs: Anthony Williams, Shaun Pejic,

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancs)
Attendance: 4,084
Away: 172

Bookings -
Grimsby: James Hunt (41, foul)