For the fourth home match in succession Wrexham failed to score and to compound their misery Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor saw straight red cards as Brian Carey made five changes from the side that was so disappointing against Rotherham on Saturday.

Wrexham looked to kick start their season in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with Mike Williams coming in for his first start of the season at left back, Matt Crowell, Silvio Spann and Mike Carvill in a new look midfield and Chris Llewellyn started up front with Eifion Williams.

On a chilly autumnal evening in North Wales and with a home tie against Stockport County at stake in the second round, Wrexham started attacking the Eric Roberts Stand end of the ground.

After a quiet opening the game sprang into life on three minutes, when a good run by Matty Done set up Chris Llewellyn 12 yards out but the Welsh international's shot was blocked. A minute later a superb turn and shot by Eifion Williams warmed the hands of Macclesfield keeper Jonathan Brain as Wrexham dominated the early play.

The first booking came on six minutes with James Jennings crude challenge on the pacy Mike Carvill.

Macclesfield were awarded a free kick on nine minutes, which was curled in left footed by Danny Thomas and glanced wide with his head by ex-Wrexham player Jimmy McNulty.

A good move by Wrexham involving a couple of crisp passes from Silvio Spann released Mike Carvill, his curling cross beat Brain but as the ball rebounded back off the far post the assistant's flag brought play to a halt.

With the play evenly balanced a moment of panic for Wrexham when Michael Husbands dispossessed Steve Evans on 19 minutes and put in a good cross that Wrexham managed to clear off the head of the waiting Gritton.

Shortly after an error in midfield by the visitors saw Matty Done steal possession and set up Chris Llewellyn whose shot was well saved by Brain, some good defending by Macclesfield saw them clear the danger as the ball bounced around the penalty area.

The game was stop start with a couple of delays for injuries, notably Eifion Williams after a clash of heads. Neither side was able to take control of the game and the play was scrappy as we went passed the half hour mark.

Michael Husbands went into the book on 33 minutes for a spectacular dive over Anthony Williams as he chased a long ball into the area.

On 36 minutes Shaun Pejic replaced Mike Williams, Ryan Valentine moving to left back and Pejic going to right back. Valentine was disposed by Simon Wiles on 42 minutes the winger firing a good drive in which was well parried by Anthony Williams.

In stretching to recover his error Valentine injured himself and was replaced by Marc Williams. Spann moved to left back, the third player in that position in the first 43 minutes.

As we entered three minutes added time Matt Crowell was booked for a tackle from behind. Mike Carvill's pace down the right almost set up a goal but Morley cleared the ball off the line. This was the final action of the first half.

Second Half

No further changes in personnel at half time, but tactically Wrexham dropped Chris Llewellyn into midfield and Marc Williams started up front with Eifion Williams as the formation changed to 3-5-2.

Wrexham started brightly with both Llewellyn and Done having good runs at the Macclesfield defence. Chris Llewellyn had a header from a Done throw in easily held by Brain on 54 minutes but neither side was creating any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities.

Mike Carvill won a free kick on the touchline, Silvio Spann crossed and Steve Evans valiant attempt to get on the end of it was thwarted by the Macclesfield defence. Wrexham had a good spell of pressure on 56 minutes but despite the ball bouncing around the Macclesfield area no Wrexham player could apply the finishing touch.

Macclesfield replaced Gritton with Gareth Evans on 58 minutes and almost immediately they had a great chance as a cross went across the face of Anthony Williams' goal but nobody was there to apply the finishing touch.

Michael Proctor came on for Eifion Williams on the hour mark.

With 61 minutes gone Steve Evans conceded a corner taken by Simon Wiles, it was headed clear by Silvio Spann but came straight back in and Anthony Williams did well to grasp the ball as he fell backwards.

Matty Done was starting to get some joy against Regan and on 63 minutes cut in from the left and fired a great effort against the bar, it bounced clear to Llewellyn who blasted well over.

Macclesfield put on Izak Reid for Danny Thomas. Silvio Spann went into the book for kicking the ball away as he disputed a free kick. The free kick was played in and fell to Morley whose shot was well saved by Anthony Williams.

The corner was taken and referee Darren Drysdale awarded a penalty for what he saw as a handball offence by Marc Williams, who appeared to be pushed in the back at the time of contact. Michael Husbands drilled the penalty low into the net on 67 minutes.

Macclesfield pressed forward and substitute Gareth Evans fired in a low shot which was easily held by Anthony Williams.

Chris Llewellyn was booked for a foul and promptly gave referee the benefit of his views and the card was changed to a straight red. Mr. Drysdale was certainly not adding to his popularity in North Wales.

Silvio Spann put a fierce drive over the bar from 18 yards it must have been deflected because the referee awarded a corner from which Richard Hope's header was cleared off the line on 74 minutes.

The hardy few at The Racecourse did their best to lift the remaining Wrexham players and Mike Carvill almost set up an equaliser with a brilliant run and cross.

Macclesfield served a further warning to Wrexham when Wiles fired over on 78 minutes. A minute later Macclesfield had a free kick on the edge of the area and Simon Wiles put it narrowly over.

Matt Crowell fired wide on 81 minutes after Brain had spilled the ball under pressure from the Wrexham attack as the Red Dragons tried desperately to get back into the game.

Carl Regan joined the miscreants in Mr Drysdale's book for delaying the taking of a free kick.

Brian Carey sent Steve Evans forward to add his height to the forward line as we went into the last five minutes. Michael Proctor looked to have a great chance with three minutes left but failed to make a good connection and then Marc Williams curled a delightful effort just over the bar with Brain scrambling.

Mr Drysdale then denied Wrexham a penalty when Proctor's shirt was clearly being pulled as he chased a Done cross.

A breakaway by Macclesfield saw them win a corner, as Richard Hope deflected a shot wide as we went into three added minutes.

Michael Proctor then saw red when after a crunching tackle on him, he appeared to try and avoid the Macclesfield player but landed on him and Mr Drysdale saw it as a sending off.

Once more a chorus of boos at the end of the match but this time they were not aimed at the Wrexham players but Mr Darren Drysdale, who will certainly not be looking to take any holidays in North Wales.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Anthony Williams, Ryan Valentine (Marc Williams 43), Steve Evans, Richard Hope, Mike Williams (Shaun Pejic 36), Mike Carvill, Matt Crowell, Silvio Spann, Matty Done, Eifion Williams (Michael Proctor 60), Chris Llewellyn
Subs: Michael Jones, Josh Johnson,

Macclesfield Town (4-4-2): Jonathan Brain, Carl Regan, Dave Morley, Jimmy McNulty, James Jennings (Matthew Flynn 90), Simon Wiles, Levi Reid, Jordan Hadfield, Danny Thomas (Izak Reid 64), Martin Gritton (Gareth Evans 58), Michael Husbands
Subs: Matthew Flynn, Christian Millar, Matthew Lowe

Referee: Darren Drysdale
Attendance: 1,503
Away: 89

Sendings Off -
Wrexham: Chris Llewellyn (abusive language), Michael Proctor (violent conduct)

Bookings -
Wrexham: Matt Crowell (foul), Silvio Spann (ungentlemanly conduct), Chris Llewellyn (foul)
Macclesfield: James Jennings (foul), Michael Husbands (diving), Carl Regan (ungentlemanly conduct)