Another home draw and another two points lost in a game marred by a tragic injury to ex Wrexham skipper Tom Kearney and the controversial sending off of veteran defender Frank Sinclair.

With Sinclair replacing Mike Williams, Dean Saunders made just one change from the starting line-up that was denied three points last Saturday for the visit of an Altrincham side that had proven difficult to break down in the three previous matches between the sides so far this season.

On a cold evening in North Wales Altrincham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourseand made a good start dominating the opening minutes by keeping Wrexham penned back in their own half.

With Wrexham struggling to get a foothold in the game in a rare excursion Wes Baynes drilled shot deflected wide off Andy Mangan.

The quality of play was scrappy but on 19 minutes a good run by Mangan set up Wes Baynes but unusually the youngsters shot was poor.

Anthony Danylyk warmed Sam Russell's palms with a long range effort before a minute later the referee saw Assoumani's challenge on Chris Senior as a foul and awarded the visitors a penalty.

Senior took it himself but was denied by a fine double save from Sam Russell firstly diving low to his right to parry the pot kick and then recovering to save the rebound as Senior closed in.

The visitors still kept pressing but Wrexham looked the likelier on the break and a fine ball by Westwood released Andy Mangan, the strikers pin point cross found Mark Jones who headed narrowly wide.

Altrincham threatened from set pieces but on 33 minutes Smith's long ball found Mangan and this time his cross was forced home from close range by Wes Baynes to put Wrexham ahead..

Wrexham continued to look dangerous on the attack and Mark Jones shot after a good spell of play from Wrexham caused Coburn a moment of panic as he scrambled it away at the second attempt.

With a minute of the half left a strong tackle from Frank Sinclair saw ex Dragon Tom Kearney stretchered off with what looked like a serious injury. The veteran defender was shown the red card by referee Mr.Martin leaving Wrexham to play out the four added minutes with Christian Smith at left back.. .

Half Time: Wrexham 1 Altrincham 0

Mike Williams started the second half for Wrexham as Saunders reorganised replacing Mark Jones. Altrincham had returned to the pitch early and quickly earned two yellow cards when Lawton pushed Mike Williams into the empty seating in the ERS stand and Danylyk received his for dissent.

Wrexham set up in a 4-3-2 formation and had good early possession as the visitors struggled with their discipline. Wes Baynes drilled a free kick over the bar and Mangan had a long range effort wide of the target before Baynes again headed over from a Luke Holden corner.

With both sides missing half chances as the game flowed from end to end Rob Williams put an effort wide before a good run by Clee set up Senior but his flick was easily held by Russell.

The referee was not endearing himself to the Dragons fans and chose to only show a yellow card to Rob Williams for a wild challenge on Holden on the edge of the box. Baynes curled the free kick wide before Peter Doran recklessly lunged in on Holden and again was so lucky to escape with a yellow when surely a stronger referee would have shown a red.

On 80 minutes, Clee looked offside as he crossed in to the box where Westwood did well to clear from off his line. From the resultant corner taken by Doran Greg Young headed home from close range to put Altrincham level.

Further refereeing decisions followed as both Doran and Brown escaped second yellows and then in the five added minutes, both sides should have been given penalties.

Firstly Silvio Spann was lucky to escape with a lunge on Clive Moyo-Modise and then a superb run by Mike Williams set up a chance for Andy Fleming, but as the midfielder drew back his foot from seven yards out he was fouled from behind.

The game ended all level and the play-offs still no closer.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann, Ashley Westwood, Mansour Assoumani, Frank Sinclair, Mark Jones (Mike Williams 46), Andy Fleming, Christian Smith, Wes Baynes (Neil Taylor 73), Andy Mangan, Luke Holden (Matty Wolfenden 88).
Subs: Chris Maxwell, Jamie McCluskey.

Altrincham (4-5-1): Stuart Coburn, Shaun Densmore, Robbie Williams, Greg Young, Ryan Brown, Peter Doran, Tom Kearney (Robbie Lawton 44), Anthony Danylyk (Colin Little 56), Nicky Clee, Chris Denham (Clive Moyo-Modise 67), Colin Senior.
Subs: Russell Saunders, Michael Welch

Referee: SJ Martin
Attendance: 2,114
Away: 123

Bookings -
Wrexham: Neil Taylor (foul), Andy Mangan (dissent)
Altrincham: Robbie Lawton (foul), Anthony Danylyk (dissent), Rob Williams (foul), Peter Doran (foul), Ryan Brown (foul)

Sent Off -
Wrexham: Frank Sinclair (Violent conduct)