Simon slips the ball home for our goal at Darlington
Photographs courtesy Dave Howarth / Sportpixs

This could so early have been a second away win of the season as Wrexham took the game to their hosts at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena in another much improved display,

Brian Carey continued his quiet revolution by bringing in trainee Andy Fleming to a pace on the bench and within 14 minutes the young Scouser was the preferred substitute when Steve Evans hobbled to the sidelines.

On 16 minutes Lee McEvilly showed great strength to hold off full back Craig James as he burst down the right channel and unleashed a shot that flew low across the face of the exposed Darlington goalmouth. Both Marc Williams and Chris Llewellyn were on rushing but neither could just reach the loose ball to apply the finishing touch

On 19 minutes Fleming earned a yellow card for a late challenge!

Former Wrexham winger Neil Wainwright took a knock to the head and required several minutes of treatment on the pitch before leaving for more attention from the Quakers' doctor and finally returning.

It was the visitors who took a deserved lead on 32 minutes, with Simon Spender ruining a few coupons by grabbing the game's first goal.

A 50/50 ball saw McEvilly and a defender converge on the ball, with it bouncing free for Sender to slide home from a bit of an angle on the rightflank.

An early ball over the top set Marc Williams away on 39 minutes and his first time lob seemed to have beaten keeper Russell, but the stopper stretched that extra inch to palm the ball over the crossbar.

James cross and Tommy Wright's header from the edge of the box forced Michael Ingham to produce a save as spectacular as Russell's, leaning back and tipping the ball away for a corner.

Wrexham were continuing to push forward and when Russell and his defenders got in a mess, only half clearing 25-yards up field, Paul Mitchell saw the goal exposed and tried a long-range shot, but the keeper was able to scramble back and make the save.

Joachim put the ball through for Wright and as Ingham came out to the edge of the box he up ended the Darlington man to concede a penalty three minutes into added time. Strangely enough the referee was happy just to award the spot kick without getting out his cards!

Tommy Wright stepped up and beat Ingham with a low shot, despite the keeper going the right way.

HT

Penney made a change at the break by bringing on Patrick Collins for centre back Darren Holloway.

Llewellyn created Wrexham's first chance of the second half, cutting in from the left wing, running along the edge of the box, but his shot failed to measure up as it spun well wide on 57 minutes.

On the hour, Matty Done replaced Spender with Llewellyn switching wings.

A minute later Mitchell picked up a third booking in three games for a high foot on Ravenhill, literally moments after Collins had escaped with a lecture from Mr Moss when catching Marc Williams with his studs in the midriff!

Following a McEvilly header on, two Darlington defenders left the ball for each other allowing Marc to step in between the pair but blazed his effort well over the crossbar.

After Ingham held a long-range effort he hit the ball down field where Marc Williams and McEvilly combine for the Irishman to hit an effort just off target when well placed on 69 minutes.

Just before being replaced by Jamie Reed on 81 minutes, Marc Williams lead a Wrexham breakaway, but with players either side of him he ran into defender Dave Wheater.

Wrexham were applying the pressure as the clock ran down, two McEvilly free kicks were directed into the defensive wall and a cross from Roche was won by the striker but was unable to get his effort on target.

Done's persistence almost brought a goal on 88 minutes when he won the ball off Russell near the corner flag, crossed in where Reed stretched out a leg but just couldn't scoop it home in the mud only six-yards out.

In added time twice Reed had chances when chasing long balls, but twice his touch let him down at the vital moment when a late dramatic winner was beckoning.

Still a second game unbeaten reflected a great fighting spirit as we continue our search for those vital points.

DARLINGTON: Sam Russell, Brian Close, Dave Wheater, Darren Holloway (Patrick Collins 46), Craig James, Neil Wainwright (Alun Armstrong 77), Mickey Cummins, Ricky Ravenhill, Martin Smith (Dave Rowson 87), Julian Joachim, Tommy Wright.
Subs: David Stockdale, Shaun Reay.

WREXHAM: Michael Ingham, Lee Roche, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans (Andy Fleming 14), Ryan Valentine, Simon Spender (Matt Done 60), Danny Williams, Paul Mitchell, Chris Llewellyn, Marc Williams (Jamie Reed 81), Lee McEvilly.
Subs: Michael Jones, Mike Williams.

Referee: Jon Moss (Yorks)
Attendance: 3,301
Away: 200ish

Bookings -
Wrexham: Fleming (19, foul), Mitchell (61, foul)
 

STAT ATTACK
2	Shots On Target	4
1	Shots Off Target	6
16	Fouls (Conceded)	13
5	Corners	4
0	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
REFEREE: J Moss