THE Reserves were in action against Chester City at the Deva Stadium and despite fielding a strong looking line-up, were unable to break down a determined City side that grew in confidence as the match progressed.

The main talking point of the game came after 20 minutes, when a long left wing cross carried beyong the far Chester post, but Eifion Williams was on hand to head it back into the six-yard box. The fligt of the ball seemed to deceive keeper Phil Palethorpe and it dropped over his head and into the net.

With the Wrexham players celebrating, the referee pointed towards a raised linesman's flag, which had most people in the ground mystified as to why he was ruling the goal out. Explaining afterwards, the official said the ball was out before Williams had headed it back into the middle!

Wrexham continued to control the game in the first 45 minutes, but without ever looking like scoring.

On 36 minutes, a Matty Done cross saw Mike Carvil have a shot whichwas blocked by Palwthorpe and although Eifion Williams was able to connect with the rebound he had to be satisfied with a corner.

Carvill did well to get in between the keeper and one of his centre backs just before the interval, but his shot was deflected away for another corner.

From that flag kick, City cleared their lines and raced up field, where Chris Holroyd got through onto Wrexham keeper Michael Jones, but his chipped effort carried too much weight and landed behind the visitors' goal.

Just before the hour mark, Eifion Williams was played in down the left hand channel, which drew the City keeper to the side of his box, allowing the striker to chip into the middle, but Carvill was unable to convert from a tight angle and drove the ball into the side netting.

As the game entered it's final quarter, Chester ventured further up field and produced a number of long-range effforts that forced Michael Jones into saves. He tipped a Kevin Roberts effort over the crossbar on 69 minutes and then did the same thing to a Gio Felciello free kick on 83 minutes.

Wrexham almost snatched a win in the final minute, when Silvio Spann's free kick, from by the left hand corner flag, was headed onto the top of the net by Mike Williams at the back post.

Honours even and at the end of 90 minutes and no real complaints about the outcome.

Chester City: Phil Palethorpe, Brett Robson (James Owen 34), Gio Feliciello, Kevin Roberts, Tom Vickers, Glenn Rule (Ryan Williams 85), Neil Carroll, James Gregory, Chris Holroyd (James Owen 46), Steve Thorpe, Adam Walker.
Subs: Paul Dorman, Jack Rowlands.

Wrexham:  Michael Jones, Wes Baynes, Chris Marriott, Jamie Price, Mike Williams, Silvio Spann, Josh Johnson, Levi Mackin, Mike Carvill (George Stewart 66), Eifion Williams (Mark Stewart 63), Matt Done.
Subs: Mat Hurdman, Jon Hunt, Paul Williams.

Referee: P. Tierney