WREXHAM slumped to a fourth successive 1-0 defeat at Stonebridge Road, despite an improved showing on the weekend display at Kettering.

In truth, the game mirrored many of the problems of recent weeks, as a failure to find the net saw the Dragons punished by the game's one moment of true quality from Ebbsfleet's Mark Ricketts.

It brought to an end a frustrating last two months on the road for the Dragons followers, whose support has deserved far better.

The fact that the travelling following was down to just 43 hardy souls spoke volumes for the way Wrexham's fortunes have slumped so dramatically in the closing stages of a campaign that had promised so much back in mid-February.

Then an FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Ebbsfleet put an end to one potential route to Wembley and a run of just two wins in 17league games has put paid to an any hopes of extending the season beyond April.

Wrexham manager Dean Saunders made six changes from the side that lost at Kettering on Saturday with midfielder Tom Kearney handed his first league start since September after Andrew Crofts was ruled out through injury.

After an insipid opening 15 minutes the game suddenly burst into life when Jefferson Louis conceded a needless corner. From the resultant flag kick, Stacy Long's driven cross was powered narrowly wide by Paul McCarthy.

This prompted Wrexham into action and the industrious Ryan Flynn saw his snap shot well saved by Lance Cronin after good work by teenager Obi Anoruo.

The Nigerian born striker then found himself at the centre of a ten-man melee on 36 minutes, when an off the ball confrontation resulted in him receiving a yellow card from referee Mike Bull of Chelmsford.

On the stroke of half-time a surging run down the right by Sam Aiston saw his well flighted cross turned behind for a corner by Darius Charles with Flynn waiting to pounce on any error.

Williamson's corner then found Kempson whose header was palmed over the bar by the Ebbsfleet keeper.

Ht

The interval saw Michael Proctor replace Anoruo and within seconds of the restart Giuseppe Sole nearly broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick which had Maxwell beaten but flew inches over the bar.

Wrexham then enjoyed a sustained period of possession with Westwood seeing a header blocked before on 63 minutes Michael Proctor brought a fine reflex save from Cronin when he should really have scored.

That miss proved costly as within sixty seconds Mark Ricketts unleashed a fierce shot which went in off the underside of Maxwell's crossbar. It was cruel on the Dragons who had looked in control of the game up to that point.

Darran Kempson came close to levelling the score when his flying header was pushed over the angle at full stretch by Cronin after 68 minutes before Ibe's shot saw Maxwell relived to see his parried save drop wide.

The Welsh U21 international then had to be alert to tip Ibe's low shot away for a corner before he collected McCarthy's long range effort.

Saunders then made a double substitution with six minutes left as he went with a 4-2-4 formation, Aurelien Collin leading the line at the expense of Louis whilst Jamie McCluskey pushed wide right as Flynn dropped back into centre midfield alongside Andy Fleming.

But it was all to no avail, as an all to familiar scoreline reared its ugly head yet again.

Ebbsfleet United: Lance Cronin, Jamie Stevens, Paul McCarthy, Darius Charles, Derek Duncan (Dean Pooley 66), Mark Ricketts, Michael West, Stacy Long, Giuseppe Sole (Rashid Yussuff 86), Michael Gash, (Kezie Ibe 36), Luke Moore.
Subs: Sam Mott, George Purcell.

Wrexham: Chris Maxwell, John Curtis, Darran Kempson, Ashley Westwood, Sam Westwood, Sam Aiston, Tom Kearney (Jamie McCluskey 84), Andy Fleming, Ryan Flynn, Jefferson Louis (Aurelien Collin 84), Obi Anoruo (Michael Proctor 46).
Subs: Nathan Fairhurst, Jon Brown.

Referee: Mike Bull (Essex)
Attendance: 880
Away: 43

Bookings -
Ebbsfleet: Duncan (dissent)
Wrexham: Aiston (foul), Anoruo (dissent), Flynn (foul)