WREXHAM let a potentially lucrative run in the FA Trophy slip through their fingers last night, let down once again by their failure to put the final seal on another dominant but ultimately fruitless performance.

The Dragons had 90% of both territory and possession in the first round replay against Altrincham at Moss Lane, but as in Saturday's stalemate were unable to break down a solid Robins' defence and paid a heavy price when they conceded a sloppy second half goal midway through the second half.

At times, the Dragons' passing and movement left their opponents chasing shadows, but when it came to the 18 yard box they were not sharp or creative enough to carve out more than a couple of clear-cut opportunities.

For the rest, they found home goalkeeper Stuart Coburn impossible to beat with numerous attempts that lacked any real conviction and were eventually punished some amateurish defending from a set piece drilled into the near post and forced home by substitute Nicky Clee.

The Dragons line-up showed four changes from that which started Saturday's 0-0 draw at the Racecourse, only one of which was forced on manager Dean Saunders.

Midfielder Andy Fleming missed out after picking up a fifth caution of the season at the weekend, but there were recalls for striker Marc Williams ahead of Matty Wolfenden, Neil Taylor stepped in at left back for Mike Williams and, with Silvio Spann replacing Curtis Obeng at right back, Mark Jones and Hedi Taboubi filled the two midfield vacancies.

Copying the theme of the film, 'Groundhog Day', the opening exchanges were very similar to the earlier stalemate, the Dragons looking to get on the front foot against a Robins' side happy to play on the counter.

But it was Altrincham who posed the first threat, Rob Lawton coasting past to deliver a deep cross that Sam Russell just managed to get a hand to, taking the ball off Rob Williams' head.

Lamine Sakho, who missed a penalty on Saturday, went close to making amends on 13 minutes with a header from a Jones cross, but his effort lacked power and gave Coburn a comfortable save.

The former Senegal international was looking lively and broke quickly from a home corner before feeding Marc Williams, whose shot was deflected behind by Lawton. And when Baynes swung the ball in, Mansour Assoumani again tested Coburn, who saved well.

The Dragons continued to pen their opponents back in their own penalty area, a Fairhurst volley flying over the bar from Lawton's block and another fine cross from Sakho was squandered when Williams failed to put his header on target.

Taylor ran from halfway, only to spoil his enterprise with a lofted effort and Altrincham survived again eight minutes before the break when excellent play between Taboubi and Spann produced an opening for Sakho, whose 20-yarder was turned behind by Coburn at full stretch.

Williams, still searching for a first goal of the campaign, couldn't have gone closer in the 53rd minute following another good run from Taylor. When the cross came in, the luckless Wrexham striker connected well with a volley that left Coburn stranded but bounced away off an upright.

Two minutes later Williams turned provider to set up Taboubi, whose fierce effort flew just wide to add to the Dragons' frustration and as the game opened up, Altrincham began to throw more men forward.

Even so, the opening goal when it came in the 69th minute was completely against the run of play, Clee bundling the ball home at the near post from a Tom Kearney corner.

And the goal transformed the home side, Colin Little just failing to get on the end of Greg Young's cross as the visitors' defence let their concentration lapse.

Wrexham's lack of confidence was evident when no-one attacked another inviting cross from Sakho, the ball running through harmlessly to Coburn.

But they maintained their tempo, only to see another Taylor piledriver deflected behind and when Jones played a neat one-two into the six-yard box, his final touch was blocked by the keeper's foot.

Mark Currie - Daily Post

Altrincham: Stuart Coburn, James Smith, Tom Kearney, Greg Young, Shaun Densore, Robbie Lawton, Colin Little, Chris Denham, Rob Williams, Anthony Danylyk, Chris Senior.
Subs: Russell Saunders, Michael Welch, John Bennett, Andrew Pearson.

Wrexham: Sam Russell, Neil Taylor, Mani Assoumani, Ashley Westwood, Silvio Spann, Mark Jones, Hedi Taboubi (Christian Smith 85), Nathan Fairhurst, Wes Baynes (Adrian Cieslewicz 57), Marc Williams (Matty Wolfenden 80), Lamine Sakho.
Subs: Chris Maxwell, Mike Williams.

Referee: Ian Smedley (Derbys)
Attendance: 407
Away: 84(ish)

Booked -
Altrincham:
Wrexham: Nathan Fairhurst, Marc Williams, Hedi Taboubi.