A battling performance by Wrexham against the league leaders, but another goal conceded from a corner cost them dearly as Oxford left The Racecourse with a hard earned victory, their first ever in North Wales.

With Wrexham returning to league action after the international break, Dean Saunders stuck with the 3-5-2 formation that had tightened up the Dragons defensive record of late, Wes Baynes starting up front and Marc Williams used in an attacking midfield role.

On a warm sunny afternoon in North Wales Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse and made a bright start when Curtis Obeng had an early effort cleared off the line with U's keeper Ryan Clarke beaten.

Gareth Taylor went close shortly afterwards after a good knock down by Wes Baynes as Wrexham kept up their high tempo start to the match.

The visitors slowly started to impose themselves on the action and had a couple of dangerous corners headed away by Hedi Taboubi whilst at the other end Mark Jones forced Ryan Clarke into a good save down to his right.

Wrexham went behind on 28 minutes and it was another goal conceded from a corner, this time James Constable heading home from close range after Cook's corner had eluded all the Wrexham defenders.

Dannie Bulman almost doubled Oxford' lead three minutes later but Chris Maxwell did well to save down by his post.

Oxford were well control at this stage and an error by Taboubi allowed James Constable to break clear, the U's top scorer was brought down by Frank Sinclair who was booked for his actions.

Wrexham battled back and Gareth Taylor had an effort saved by Clarke before some excellent defending by Mark Creighton denied Marc Williams a shot at goal.

Jamie Cook missed a great chance for Oxford on 41 minutes heading wide when well placed but despite a Wes Baynes free kick there was no further scoring action before the break.

Half Time: Wrexham 0 Oxford United 1

With no changes in personnel at the break Wrexham again started brightly and Mark Jones worked himself a good position but unfortunately his shot was straight at Clarke.

Gareth Taylor had a couple of half chances with his head and Taboubi's shot was saved as the Dragons pressed looking for the equaliser.

The game was fiercely competitive and Taboubi was booked for diving, shortly afterwards Murray joined him in the book for a foul.

Dean Saunders tried to change things around just after the hour mark replacing Taboubi and Westwood with Andy Fleming and Adrian Cieslewicz in a switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

Adam Murray went close for Oxford with a free kick whipped in towards the far post. After a couple of changes for the visitors Maxwell made a fine double save to keep Wrexham in the game.

The Dragons continued to press and their effort could not be faulted.

The game turned on 79 minutes, when Frank Sinclair was sent off after the referee consulted his assistant. The official himself had been watching an off-the-ball clash between Marc Williams and Constable, but as play developed Sinclair was accused if impeding an Oxford player.

This being his second yellow card, his furious reaction indicating he felt the assistant had been misled. Reds boss Dean Saunders was then also sent to the stand after leaving his technical area to speak to the assistant.

An already competitive game threatened to boil over for a while and Oxford substitute Midson and Marc Williams went in to the referee's book.

On 83 minutes, the numbers were evened up when on loan U's full back Steven Kinniburgh joined Sinclair in the dressing rooms, having already been booked for a foul on Obeng brought the same player down and was sent for an early.

The yellow card count increased to nine (or eleven if you count the two for Sinclair and Kinniburgh) as Obeng and Cook were booked as the game became stretched.

There were six added minutes, during which Maxwell saved well from Jamie Cook and Clarke saved from Marc Williams, but the game ended in defeat for Wrexham.

Wrexham (3-5-2): Chris Maxwell, Ashley Westwood (Adrian Cieslewicz 62), Mansour Assoumani, Frank Sinclair, Curtis Obeng, Mark Jones, Marc Williams, Hedi Taboubi (Andy Fleming 62), Neil Taylor, Gareth Taylor, Wes Baynes.
Subs: Mike Williams, Silvio Spann, Christian Smith.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Ryan Clarke, Damien Batt, Luke Foster, Mark Creighton, Steve Kinniburgh, Dannie Bulman, Adam Murray (Jack Midson 81), Simon Clist, Matt Green (Adam Chapman 67), James Constable (Kevin Sandwith 84), Jamie Cook.
Subs: Billy Turley, Ross Perry.

Referee: R.J.West (Yorks)
Attendance: 3,620
Away: 484

Bookings -
Wrexham: Frank Sinclair (foul), Hedi Taboubi (simulation), Neil Taylor (dissent), Marc Williams (foul), Curtis Obeng (foul)
Oxford United: Steve Kinniburgh (foul), Damien Batt (foul), Adam Murray (foul), Jamie Cook (foul)

Sent Off -
Frank Sinclair (Wrexham) 2nd yellow
Steve Kinniburgh (Oxford) 2nd yellow