WREXHAM 1-0 AFC WIMBLEDON
A controversial goal spotted by an eagle eyed assistant was enough to give the Red Dragons victory in a hard fought match against promotion chasing Wimbledon.
As Wrexham returned to league action for the first time since 5 December, Dean Saunders gave a debut to new signing Andy Mangan in a side designed to stifle the threat from the free scoring visitors with three centre backs in the starting eleven.
On a sunny winter's day in North Wales, Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse. Dragons debutant Mangan was denied early on by a fine tackle from Dons skipper Lorraine as both sides made a bright opening to the game andsparred for early supremacy.
With 13 minutes gone, an error by Christian Smith in midfield saw the visitors break quickly and Will Hendry curled a shot wide.
Nathan Elder put a weak header wide before Sam Russell did well to save a low shot from Hendry as the Dons pressed. Andy Mangan was linking well with Gareth Taylor and put a low shot into the side netting as Wrexham replied.
Mangan was booked on on 26 minutes for a late challenge on Johnson.
Two minutes later, the Dragons took the lead in controversial fashion when Gareth Taylor's lob was carried over his line by Seb Brown under challenge from Lamine Sakho and the assistant decided it was a goal, to the obvious frustration of the Wimbledon players and management, who felt there had been a foul on the keeper.
Silvio Spann was playing well at right back and a fine run and cross from him was taken off Taylor's head by Christian Smith who glanced his effort wide.
On 35 minutes another Spann cross was headed back across goal by Gareth Taylor for Sakho to force home from close range. This time however the effort was wiped out for a push against Taylor.
Wrexham continued to dominate possession and on 44 minutes Wes Baynes free kick from 25 yards beat Brown all ends up, but bounced to safety off the cross bar. The Reds went in at the break a goal to the good.
HT: Wrexham 1 AFC Wimbledon 0
Dean Saunders introduced Jamie McCluskey at the break in a straight swap with Lamine Sakho. The visitors kicked off but it was Wrexham who started the brighter when Gareth Taylor's drilled cross was held by Seb Brown. Wimbledon slowly exerted themselves on the game and pressed Wrexham back as they went in search of the equaliser.
On 54 minutes, Wrexham almost went two up when Mangan's cross was met by Gareth Taylor's head, but Seb Brown made a fantastic save to keep the header out. The home side were keeping the ball well and with Mangan and Taylor linking well there was a good shape to the team.
Sam Russell almost let Wimbledon back into the game when his clearance was charged down by Nathan Elder, as the striker struck his effort goalwards the Dragons custodian reacted well to clear the ball off the line.
Both managers made changes in an attempt to alter the game and as the Dons went to three at the back they took charge territorially with Wes Baynes being in the right position to clear an Elder header off the line.
Saunders put on Mike Williams in an attempt to stem the flow of pressure and Wrexham held on to clinch a vital three points to hopefully launch a revival.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann, Ashley Westwood, Mansour Assoumani, Frank Sinclair, Wes Baynes, Christian Smith, Andy Fleming, Lamine Sakho (Jamie McCluskey 46), Andy Mangan (Obi Anoruo 67), Gareth Taylor (Mike Williams 84).
Subs: Nathan Fairhurst, Adrian Cieslewicz.
AFC Wimbledon (4-4-2): Seb Brown, Sam Hatton, Paul Lorraine, Brett Johnson (Ben Judge 67), Danny Blanchett, Will Hendry (Ross Montague 74), Kennedy Adjei, Lewis Taylor (Jay Conroy 74), Ricky Wellard, Nathan Elder, Danny Kedwell.
Subs:James Pullen, Derek Duncan.
Referee: P.A.Davison
Attendance: 3,276
Away: 429
Bookings -
Wrexham: Andy Mangan (foul)
AFC Wimbledon: Jay Conroy (foul), Kennedy Adjei (foul)
