RELENTLESS rain over the preceding 36 hours had left the Colwyn Bay officials with plenty of work to get the playing surface in a fit enough state to provide a pitch that was to witness a very entertaining pre-season friendly.

With the Red Dragons flying out to start a week long tour of Northern Ireland, manager Brian Carey did not want any last minute injuries upsetting his plans and fielded a very young line-up, with only three professionals and a trialist to boost the ranks scholars on show.

Returning the club where he spent several months on loan last season, Jamie Reed had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just 10 minutes when put clear through the middle, but the experienced Jamie Speare in the home goal stood up to the advancing striker and made a good save with his feet.

Reed also saw a flick on from a corner hooked off the line by the Bay's John Walker, as keeper Speare looked over his shoulder to see where the ball had gone on. While at the other end centre half Chris Marriott threw his body in the way to block a fierce shot from Anthony Murt.

A throw in for Wrexham saw the ball reach Reed, who turned his man on the edge of the Bay box before hitting a shot whish was well saved by the diving keeper.

Early in the second period Speare came to the Seagulls rescue with a fine double save to deny first Swedish trialist Robin Kacaniklic and then hold Reed's follow up from close range.

A double substitution for Colwyn Bay was followed by Kanaciklic being forced off after picking up a cut just above his ankle.

The home side became more direct in their play, with balls over the top constantly forcing the visiting back four to turn and chase.

Bay striker Murt was left holding his head in disbelief shortly after the hour mark, when he chested down a high pass and then crashed a 20-yard shot against a Wrexham post with keeper Chris Maxell beaten.

The first goal finally arrived on 69 minutes and it went to the home team. Murt headed the ball over the Wrexham back line for substitute forward Mark Quayle to beat the offside trap and lob Maxwell with a well judged effort from the edge of the penalty box.

Not that Colwyn Bay's lead was to last for long, as just six minutes later the visitors were level, thanks to a sweeping left wing move that saw Josh Johnson pass inside for Reed, who in turn keep the ball moving to his right and into the path of Paul Williams. The midfielder took the pass in his stride before firing a low shot across Speare and into the far corner of the net.

Both teams had chances to claim the victory with Reed firing home a fantastic volley from a tight angle, only to be denied by a linesman's flag. While Quayle saw another effort deflected across the face of the Wrexham goal with Maxwell scrambling to jump on the loose ball.

Wrexham coach Joey Jones was delighted with the work out.

"I think Colwyn Bay are stronger than many sides from the Welsh Premier League, so to come here with what is not much more than a youth team and hold them to a draw is a good result for us," he said.

"I told our lads before the start that his would be a tough game, but I thought we adapted well to the conditions and against some experienced non-league players.

"Overall I thought the draw was the least we deserved.

"Paul [Williams] has a great deal of energy and he took his goal well. In the first half he was getting dragged over a little bit and we talked about this at half time. He broke at the right time, got to the box and was rewarded with the goal.

"It was a shame Jamie Reed's goal was not allowed to stand, as he finished in real Brazilian style.

"Both Coops and myself were pleased, especially with a lot of the younger lads who took this game in their stride."

For Bay boss Gary Finley it was also a satisfying afternoon's exercise.

"We are getting a settled squad together and we have 19 or so players to choose from," he said. I was very happy at the way we performed today against what might be a young Wrexham side, but one with a great deal of talent in it."

Wrexham goalscorer Paul Williams was quite modest about his strike that brought the sides level: "It just came to me and I did my best to get it on target. Fortunately it also beat their keeper!"

Colwyn Bay: Jamie Speare; Lewis Callaghan, Martin Crowder, Paul Roberts, Tim Brandreth (Neil Coverley 56); Robbie Williams, Paul Williams (Mark Quayle 56) John Walker, John Lawless (Colin Roberts 76); Darren Wright, Anthony Murt.
Sub: Gary Finley.

Wrexham: Chris Maxwell; Jamie Price, John Hunt, Chris Marriott, Lee Jones; Paul Williams, Wes Baynes, Tom Matischok, Robin Kacaniklic (Mark Stewart 60); Josh Johnson, Jamie Reed.
Subs: Vinny Whelan, Kai Edwards, Mathew Head, Jack Jones.

Referee: D Croft
Attendance: 602