WREXHAM bounced back from Thursday night's poor display at York City with a display that merited better than the one point they took home from Nene Park.

The Dragons fell behind to a goal from Sam Smith, the grand nephew of former boss Denis Smith, when he was on hand to finish from close range on 61 minutes, but growing goal poacher Shaun Whalley was on hand to level matters with quarte of an hour remaining.

On five minutes, Shaun Whalley did well to keep the ball in at the far corner flag, laying off to Simon Brown whose cross was to the feet of Jefferson Louis in front of the near post, but his first time effort drifted wide of the target.

With 10 minutes played Tremarco forward for Louis to flick on to Whalley, who goes wide to the flag, finds Aiston and his cross is headed behind by Gareth Jellyman for a corner.

This was the start of a phase of play with Wrexham pushing forward and Whalley in particular causing the home defence more than a few problems.

The home team's first real opportunity came after 25 minutes when following a Rushden corner the ball bobbled to the feet of Burton and his effort from the edge of the box

Steve Evans then hit a high ball at the angle to the back post where Aiston stretched to lay it back across the face of the Diamonds goal, but Louis wasn't alter to the chance and what might have been a simple tap in was lost.

With 34 minutes on the clock, Whalley broke the offside trap chasing after a bouncing ball, the keeper had to head it clear on the edge of his box, but as it fell to Simon Brown he had a clear sight of goal and from 25-yards fired in his effort. But credit to Marriott for getting to his feet and diving to palm the ball away for a corner.

Wrexham were looking much more of an attacking unit than they did at York.

As the fourth official indicated one added minute, Aiston escaped down the left, but was fouled by Curtis Osano as he crossed. From Kearney's free kick Steve Evans' header was spectacularly tipped over by Marriott for another corner.

As the two teams went to their dressing rooms at the break, it will be Brian Little the happier of the managers - although his side has yet to make the important break through.

Half Time

With 51 minutes on the clock, Wrexham faked a free kick on the right, allowing Tom Kearney to cut inside and from 20 yards he hit a left footed effort that Marriott was once again equal to by tipping the ball over his crossbar.

Burton then crashed into Louis as the big striker laid the ball off and it rightly earned him a yellow card.

On the hour, some poor defending by Wrexham allowed Rushden take the lead, as they failed to clear on two occasions. The second as Spender's effort only hit Burgess and the winger was able to lay in a low cross that substitute Sam Smith turned home from only a yard out in front of an empty net.

Aiston battled hard to grab an equaliser a few minutes later, as he did his best to hold off two defenders but his final effort only ended up in the keeper's arms.

With 20 minutes remaining, on came Wes Baynes and Neil Taylor for Louis and Aiston. Simon Brown was put up front alongside Whalley with the new lads used on the wings.

Immediately the pair showed their pace with Baynes feeding Taylor, but his shot from the corner of the box lacked enough pace to worry Marriott.

A drop ball on 75 minutes was won by Kearney who slipped a pass to Brown and his cross was met by Shaun Whalley who finished from six-yards out.

Despite being pegged back, Diamonds broke away on 78 minutes with Smith outpacing Evans, but with Woodhouse available in the middle, he tried to beat Ward at the near post and the keeper held onto his effort.

Ward also had to be on his mettle when Tomlin tried his luck from 25-yards following a corner, but the keeper smothered the shot.

The final whistle sounded to give the teams a share of the points, but those travelling back to North Wales will know it should have been the full three.

R&D: Alan Marriott. Curtis Osano, Chris Hope, Sagi Burton, Gareth Jellyman, Andy Burgess, Curtis Woodhouse, Michael Corcoran (Jake Beecroft 87), Rob Wolleaston (Sam Smith 56), Lee Phillips, Lee Tomlin.
Subs: Dean McDonald, Justyn Roberts, Marcus Kelly.

Wrexham: Gavin Ward, Simon Spender, Darran Kempson, Steve Evans, Carl Tremarco, Sam Aiston (Neil Taylor 71), Tom Kearney, Levi Mackin, Simon Brown, Jefferson Louis (Wes Baynes 71), Shaun Whalley.
Subs: Anthony Williams, Shaun Pejic, Marc Williams.

Referee: Shaun Procter-Green
Attendance: 1,805
Away: 377

Booking -
R&D: Marriott (12, dissent), Burton (55, foul)