It was in the end though only a disappointing draw, as a penalty deep into added time clawed the home side level.

On his return to Rockingham Road, on loan striker Anthony Elding nearly got his second spell with the Poppies off a to great start, as within the opening minute he headed the ball down into the path of Moses Ashikodi, who blazed wide when well placed just six-yards out.

Not that he had long to wait, as on four minutes a cross into the visitors' box was deflected and fell kindly for Elding to head home over the stranded Chris Maxwell.

Wrexham, wearing an all-white kit, nearly drew level two minutes later when Silvio Spann crossed from the wing and Gareth Taylor did well to hold off his marker before testing Kettering keeper Lee Harper.

There was a quite bizarre leveller for the Welshmen on 13 minutes, as at a corner the ball is knocked high up into the night sky, but as it dropped inside the Kettering six-yard box, keeper Lee Harper made a real hash of making the catch and somehow it ended up in the back of the net.

All eyes went straight to referee Dave Coote, but the official was happy that the keeper had not been impeded and gave the goal, with Mani Assoumani taking the plaudits from his team mates.

Another Wes Baynes corner was met by Christian Smith and he really should have done better on 16 minutes, but headed just wide of the near post.

There was further good news with Wrexham taking the lead on 21 minutes, following another corner, but this time Mani dribbled the line before pulling his cross back for his defensive partner Ashley Westwood to fire home with a low effort from 12-yards.

There was a double miss for Wrexham a few minutes later, as following good work by Lamine Sakho, first Gareth Williams and then Wes Baynes saw shots from inside the box blocked by a desperate defence.

Sakho then set up Mike Williams for a great cross that Andy Fleming met on the volley, but he steering his effort a yard wide of the near post as Wrexham had chasing shadows.

Kettering were looking dangerous at their own corners and when the giant Exodus Geoghaghon just missed a nicely flighted flag kick on 42 minutes, the ball ran out to left midfielder Francis Green, who turned inside Obeng, but fired wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

A booking for Christian Smith for a late foul, his fifth of the season, so earning him a one-game ban.

Ht 2-1

A nasty start to the second period as a cross from Simon Heslop saw Maxi venture off his line as if to punch clear, but he missed the ball all together. It ran through to Green, but with the goal at his mercy he handled the ball and the chance was lost.

The winger was replaced on 53 minutes, when Mustapha Carayol was used as his replacement.

Kettering obviously had a stern talking to at the break and were lifting themselves back tro9 something like their normal standards.

A great run and cross from Spann stretched the home defence, but as the ball arrived in the middle Baynes went to ground when challenged from behind, just as he appeared to have the goal at his mercy.

Play on said the referee, much to the displeasure of both Dean Saunders and Brian Carey on the sidelines.

On the hour mark, another deflection, this time off Mani, saw Elding almost prosper, but the striker's off balance effort when straight into the arms of a grateful Wrexham keeper.

With 20 minutes remaining, Mark Jones was introduced for the tiring Sakho, who came off to a good ovation from the Wrexham fans.

A Baynes free kick in from the touchline was left by both Taylor and Smith as the ball ran through the home defence.

Maxi had to be alert be alert on 73 minutes, as a sweeping Kettering move ended with Mike Williams deflecting the cross towards his own goal, but the keeper tipped the ball round his post for a corner.

Kettering keeper Harper redeemed himself to some extent on 79 minutes, when he pulled off a great save to deny Obeng, who had been set up by a Jones drag back.

There was a late booking for Mani, as he conceded a foul 25-yards out, but the free kick was aimed high over Maxi's cross bar.

It was a nervous finale to the match as the referee indicated an additional five minutes.

The Wrexham fans were in good voice through as they urged their team on.

But the time almost up and keeper Harper up for a corner, the ball was puched away by Maxi but Mike Williams tripped his man and coneded a soft spot kick.

Substitute Jean-Paul Marna sent Maxi the wrong way to level the scores.

A tale of two penalties - one given for the home side in the dying moments of the game and then another denied when Wes Baynes was bundled over in front of goal - spot the difference!

Kettering: Lee Harper, James Jennings, Darren Wrack, John Dempster, Francis Green (Mustapha Carayol 53), Greg Taylor (Jean-Paul Marna 76), Patrick Noublissie (Danny Thomas 63), Simon Heslop, Anthony Elding, Exodus Geoghaghon, Moses Ashikodi.
Subs: Nicky Eaden, Damien Spencer.

Wrexham: Chris Maxwell, Curtis Obeng, Mansour Assoumani, Ashley Westwood, Mike Williams, Silvio Spann Christian Smith, Andy Fleming, Lamine Sakho (Mark Jones 70), Wes Baynes, Gareth Taylor.
Subs: Sam Williamson, Adrian Cieslewicz, Jamie McCluskey, Marc Williams.

Referee: D Coote (Notts)
Attendance: 1,186
Away: 109

Bookings -
Kettering: Heslop (49, foul)
Wrexham: Smith (45, foul), Spann (77, foul), Assoumani (85, foul)