Thirty years to the day after we sealed the club's very first promotion to the second level (what is now called the Championship) of English football, with without doubt the best ever team in our history, we find ourselves doomed to relegation out of The Football League following this defeat at Hereford United.

So for the first time since 1921 we find ourselves back in non-league football facing the prospect of rebuilding our fortunes in the Blue Square Premier.

We needed a minor miracle at Edgar Street, and while we showed plenty of effort and endeavour against a promotion chasing Hereford, one was not forthcoming so condemning the Reds to an early exit from League 2 with a couple of games still left on the season.

A goal from Gary Hooper just before the break was followed by another on the hour from his strike partner Theo Robinson were to prove the final nails in the Wrexham coffin, as nearly 500 travelling fans tried their best to urge on their team.

The Reds had travelled down the border to face Hereford United, making one change to the starting line-up with Conall Murtagh getting his first start since New Year's Day at Chesterfield, as he replaced Andy Fleming. On the bench, Robbie Garrett was involved for the first time in 2008.

The starting line-up included 10 players who had enjoyed their League debuts in a Wrexham shirt - Gavin Ward the only one who didn't, while Steve Evans and Murtagh progressed via the Welsh Premier before moving to the Racecourse.

In frantic start to the match both teams had great chances to opening the scoring. First Matty Done danced passed three challenges before drawing a great block from keeper Wayne Brown and then at the other end Theo Robinson was slipped clear down the left channel before firing wide from six-yards with only Gavin Ward to beat.

On 20 minutes, a poor cross into the box should have been the keeper's to take, but defender Trent McClenahan decided t head it back to him, not realising where Brown was and the ex-Chester man had to spin quickly before recovering the ball as it headed towards and empty net.

Hereford were looking the more dangerous of the two sides when attacking, but both sides were enjoying similar amounts of possession.

With 33 minutes played, a long ball by Murtagh was headed on by Marc Williams across the Hereford goal, allowing Neil Roberts the chance to turn and fire off a shot that Brown did well to beat away at his near post.

Wrexham fell behind on 42 minutes, when Robinson's back heel set Gary Hooper down the right channel and while Mike Williams was challenging the striker unleashed a shot from 15-yards that Ward was unable to keep out of his net as the ball went under him.

HT

After being fouled just three minutes after the restart, Wes Baynes took the free kick himself, but from 20-yards out on the left, his cross dropped between the keeper and the in rushing forwards to run out of play.

More pressure saw us win a corner on the right but with red shirts closing in the Bulls were able to head clear and race to the opposite end of the pitch where Robinson flashed his effort just wide of the target.

The Reds were nearly punished further on 53 minutes when Robinson ran from the halfway line before launching a low shot that beat the diving Ward but only hit the base of a post before spinning behind for a goal kick.

Immediately the visitors broke up field and as Roberts played in Marc Williams, the youngster held off two challengers to force Brown into a great save when the ball appeared to be heading for the top corner.

But such is the thin line between success and failure, as play swung to the other end Theo Robinson beat the offside trap to find himself clear through on Ward and this time he wasn't to be denied, firing United into a two-goal lead on 60 minutes.

The home side had their tails up and although Wrexham were showing spirit in looking for a way back into the match, it was United who continued to look threatening when they pushed forward.

Danny Williams as introduced for Murtagh shortly after the hour mark, with Michael Proctor replacing Marc Williams & Robbie Garrett for Baynes on 68 minutes, as a last throw of the dice to try and preserve our Football League existence.

Williams earned himself for a rough challenge on Sammy Igoe and he can have few complaints as the frustration of the situation caught up with him.

United produced a good move on 85 minutes and although Hooper appeared to push over Steve Evans inside the box, he failed to prosper as his driven cross was deflected behind for corner off Mike Williams, as Robinson lurked with intent.

There was one last chance of a consolation for Wrexham but Brown once again denied us, this time Proctor facing another smart save from the keeper.

The sands of time finally run out for Wrexham as we slipped out of The Football League.

Hereford United: Wayne Brown, Trent McClenahan, Richard Rose, Karl Broadhurst, Ben Smith, Theo Robinson, Clint Easton, Toumani Diagouraga, Sammy Igoe, Dean Beckwith, Gary Hooper.
Subs: Ryan Esson, Lee Collins, Kris Taylor, Simon Johnson, Trevor Benjamin.

Wrexham: Gavin Ward, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor, Wes Baynes (Robbie Garrett 68), Levi Mackin, Conall Murtagh (Danny Williams 63), Matty Done, Neil Roberts, Marc Williams (Michael Proctor 68).
Subs: Michael Jones, Gareth Evans.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hamp)
Attendance: 3,739
Away: 478

Booking -
Wrexham: Murtagh (44, foul), Danny Williams (82, foul)