To make matters worse, striker Andy Mangan was stretchered off at the final whistle, as he went down injury right on the final whistl.

Wrexham paid the penalty for not turning first half possession into goals as Ebbsfleet United scored a second half equaliser to return home with a point from their visit to North Wales.

Dean Saunders kept the same starting line up that was denied late on last Saturday at Salisbury City for the visit of a side who had won four and drawn one of their previous away games.

On a dull overcast day in North Wales Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse and in a bright opening to the game both sides looked to get forward at every opportunity. It was the visitors who had the first chance when Scott Ginty headed over the bar from a good position, but where was the marking?

Wrexham started to impose themselves on the game with some good movement and won a couple of cornerswhich were dealt withby the Fleet defence. Christian Smith fired in a dipping long range effort on 12 minutes which clipped the top of the bar before three minutes later a fine ball by Smith released Andy Mangan and the striker controlled the ball well before drilling a low shot passed Cronin to give the Red Dragons the lead.

Ebbsfleet responded with a header from Moses Ashikodi held by Russell before Luke Holden had the ball in the net after a fine move involving Mangan and Fleming only to be disappointed as his effort was wiped out by the assistant's flag.

The visitors were being pushed back for most of the half but did win a couple of corners which Wrexham defended well enough. With half an hour gone another fine move by Wrexham again released Mangan, who's pace was causing Crooks and Charles all sorts of problems, but as Cronin came rushing off his line the Reds striker poked his effort wide of the goal.

Wrexham continued to dominate territorially but could still not add to their lead as Holden's volley was blocked by Cronin and Smith's header was also held by the Fleet stopper.

The visitors picked up a couple of soft bookings as they started to feel the pressure but almost went in level when a dreadful error by Sam Russell allowed Peter Holmes a good chance which the experienced midfielder fortunately fired into the side netting.

Half Time: Wrexham 1 Ebbsfleet United 0

With no changes at the break the visitors got the second half underway and again both sides started brightly. Christian Smith went close on 49 minutes when he volleyed over at full stretch from 8 yards out as Wrexham l,ooked to increase their advantage.

Ebbsfleet looked to be a different side in the second half and denied Wrexham the space they were afforded in the first half. Dean Saunders decided on a change and introduced Jamie McCluskey for Wes Baynes on the hour mark and soon after Andy Mangan broke into the box but delayed his shot and was blocked out by the Fleet defence.

Mike Williams should have done better with a header from a Holden corner before Ebbsfleet made the Dragons pay for their profligacy on 68 minutes. A long free kick by keeper Cronin was missed by Silvio Spann and as it was hooked back into the area Moses Ashikodi had time to miss his first kick before drilling a low effort passed Sam Russell.

Wrexham bounced back and Holden glanced a header wide from Andy Mangan's cross whilst Andy Fleming warmed Cronin's palms with a fierce drive from the edge of the box. Saunders replaced Jones with Matty Wolfenden and changed to a 4-4-2 in an attempt to win the game as the play became very stretched.

Andy Fleming made a fine 50 yard break from midfield with 4 minutes left to set up Luke Holden but the winger dragged his shot well wide. With three added minutes both sides pushed forward but it was Wrexham who almost clinched it when from Holden's low cross Andy Mangan's effort was saved by Lance Cronin.

A disappointing afternoon for the Red Dragons was summed up by the sight of manager Dean Saunders disconsolately trudging off the pitch along side star striker Andy Mangan who was on a stretcher after appearing to injure himself in the game's last attack.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann, Ashley Westwood, Mansour Assoumani, Mike Williams, Mark Jones (Matty Wolfenden 79), Andy Fleming, Christian Smith, Wes Baynes (Jamie McCluskey 60), Andy Mangan, Luke Holden.
Subs: Neil Taylor, Frank Sinclair, Lamine Sakho.

Ebbsfleet United (4-1-3-2): Lance Cronin, Will Salmon (Kane Willis 62), Leon Crooks, Darius Charles, Jordan Collins, Alex Stavinrou, Dean Pooley, Peter Holmes, Stefan Bailey,Moses Ashikodi, Scott Ginty.
Subs: Gavin Heeroo, Michael West, Ishmael West, Joe Hagan.

Referee: P.C.Wright
Attendance: 2,345
Away: 40

Bookings -
Ebbsfleet: Peter Holmes(foul), Alex Stavinrou (foul)