Wrexham were well beaten by Rushden as they looked to bounce back from the disappointing performance at Grays on Saturday.

They left the field to a chorus of boos from the lowest league crowd of the season at The Racecourse having conceded three goals without reply to a side that only a few weeks ago they had performed so well against.

There were three changes as Nat Brown, Sam Aiston and Michael Proctor came into the starting line up as Brian Little juggled his squad once more in an attempt to get Wrexham back to winning ways.

On a fine evening in North Wales Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end and immediately Michael Proctor tested Alan Marriott with a 20 yard effort which the goalkeeper clutched under his cross bar. Rushden also made a bright start though and won a corner on five minutes which Steve Evans defended bravely.

Gavin Ward made a good save on six minutes narrowing Rob Wolleaston's angle and parrying the drive wide. A minute later a superb run by Carl Tremarco earned Wrexham a free kick near the corner flag but Kearney's free kick came to nothing. Wrexham were looking bright and Alan Marriott claimed a couple of good crosses as the home side looked for Jeff Louis.

On 10 minutes Daryl Clare showed some excellent skill to give Rushden the lead when he controlled a long free kick, turned and fired a right foot shot past the despairing dive of Gavin Ward.

Sam Aiston was booked on 17 minutes for a diving lunge on the goal scorer Clare a sign of the frustration the Wrexham players were showing after going behind yet again. Wrexham were finding it difficult to get their passing going and gave the ball away far too often in the opening 20 minutes as their confidence slumped after the concession of the goal.

Leon Knight should have done better on 22 minutes screwing his shot wide from 20 yards, but worryingly from a Wrexham point of view he was allowed far too much time to set his sights on Ward's goal. Levi Mackin was then booked for what looked like a shirt pull as Rushden maintained their territorial advantage.

Wrexham's best effort of the first half hour came when Sam Aiston fired a right foot shot wide from the edge of the area, the ball being cleared to him after Kearney's free kick was headed away by the Rushden defence.

Rushden bounced back and Darran Kempson became the third home booking when he fouled the pacy Leon Knight, it proved costly as from the resulting free kick Rushden increased their lead with a Chris Hope header on 31 minutes, although the final touch could well have come off Carl Tremarco as he challenged the big central defender.

The Red Dragons had certainly been lacklustre in the opening 35 minutes and the home crowd were not happy with what they were watching. Their mood was not helped when Steve Evans mistake allowed Clare a run which the big centre back halted by tripping the ex Chester striker and earning himself the fourth Wrexham booking of a disjointed first half.

Andy Burgess fired a good effort just over Gavin Ward's bar on 40 minutes as again the Wrexham defence stood off and allowed him space.

Alan Marriott had to make a save a minute later after a great free kick from Tom Kearney found Jeff Louis on the far post, the big striker's effort lacked power though and Marriott turned it around the post. Neither side created a chance in the two added minutes and Wrexham left the field to a chorus of boos from their smallest league crowd of the season so far.

Second Half

Neither side made a change at the break and it was Rushden who got the game under way attacking the ERS end.

It was Wrexham who started the brighter as they looked to get back into the game but the first effort of the half came when Daryl Clare worried Ward with a 30-yard chip which just cleared the bar on 49 minutes.

Two minutes later Lee Tomlin volleyed just over from 20 yards as he picked up the ball unmarked on the edge of the penalty area.

Shaun Whalley put an effort wide with a curling shot on 52 minutes but to be honest Alan Marriott watched it all the way and it never looked like troubling the Rushden keeper.

Wrexham were contributing to their own problems by losing the ball too often in midfield and the Rushden press could not believe that this was the same side that had played so well at Nene Park only a few weeks ago.

The home fans were showing their frustration as well but two Louis efforts lifted their spirits the second forcing a good save from Marriott.

Michael Proctor was close to getting on the end of a Shaun Whalley cross, the ball was cleared and Wrexham had a good spell of pressure with a couple of corners.

As Wrexham had their best spell of the game Brian Little decided on a double change with 61 minutes gone, Christian Smith and Simon Brown replacing Mackin and Aiston whilst Rushden brought on Michael Rankine for Daryl Clare.

Curtis Osano had a good effort on 64 minutes but Ward held it easily diving to his left whilst Jeff Louis had a volley which looped off a defender and was claimed by Alan Marriott. Shaun Whalley then put in a left foot shot which Marriott saved comfortably but at least Wrexham were now showing a little bit of spirit.

Wrexham went close when Jeff Louis headed a Shaun Whalley cross down to Proctor who fired over. It was Louis' last action as he was replaced on 72 minutes by Marc Williams as Brian Little looked for the spark that Wrexham were so clearly lacking tonight.

Rushden still looked dangerous on the break and with 12 minutes left they went three up when Chris Hope ran in completely unmarked to head a Burgess free kick past Gavin Ward from six yards.

Wrexham almost pulled one back when Darran Kempson forced a save out of Marriott with a header but they then almost suffered total humiliation as Rankine ran through the non existent midfield and defence to shoot just wide of the post with seven minutes left.

The disgruntled Wrexham fans were streaming out of the ground as Rushden replaced Tomlin with Jelleyman on 88 minutes.

Marc Williams worked hard up front and he set up Tom Kearney for a left foot shot which ran tamely through to Marriott on 89 minutes.

There were three added minutes at the end of the game but Wrexham could not create a clear chance and the supporters showed their dissatisfaction at the final whistle for what had been a very poor performance throughout the team.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Gavin Ward, Nat Brown , Darran Kempson, Steve Evans, Carl Tremarco, Shaun Whalley, Tom Kearney, Levi Mackin (Christian Smith 61), Sam Aiston (Simon Brown 61), Jefferson Louis (Marc Williams 72), Michael Proctor.
Subs: Anthony Williams, Simon Spender.

Rushden & Diamonds (4-4-2): Alan Marriott, Curtis Osano, Chris Hope, Phil Gulliver, Michael Corcoran, Lee Tomlin (Gareth Jelleyman 88), Rob Wolleaston, Curtis Woodhouse, Andy Burgess, Daryl Clare (Michael Rankine 61), Leon Knight (Lee Phillips 79).
Subs: Jake Beecroft, Marcus Kelly.

Referee: Dean Mohareb
Attendance: 2,805
Away: 54

Bookings -
Wrexham: Sam Aiston (foul), Levi Mackin (foul), Darren Kempson (foul), Steve Evans (foul)