The Reds once again found no reward for what was a decent display at Stockport County and they also lost another two players to injury, in what was a battling performance that saw them take the lead against their hosts.
With injuries and suspensions hitting his team selection options hard, manager Brian Carey gave full league debuts to both Silvio Spann and Neil Taylor at Edgeley Park, although neither was ultimately able to finish the 90 minutes.
The first chance of any note came on 14 minutes, when a long throw from near the Wrexham corner flag on the County right was headed on by Matty McNeil and in the middle of the visitors' goalmouth James Smith wasted a free header by directing his effort well over Anthony Williams' crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Wrexham went route one for their goal on 25 minutes when Neil Taylor hot a long ball to Marc Williams on the edge of the County penalty box and the young striker rose to head the ball on with Stockport keeper Conrad Logan failing miserably to punch clear having come 18-yards off his line.
County hit back just four minutes later with a long-range effort from Anthony Elding, whose looping effort carried over Anthony Williams and landed in the corner of the Wrexham net.
The Wrexham defence was caught flat footed at another County set piece on 35 minutes when Paul Tierney's right wing corner was met by the foot of Elding at the back post, but he was unable to keep his effort down and it cleared the crossbar by a few inches.
As the fourth official put his board up to indicate only one add minute, a long clearance from Stockport keeper Conrad Logan was headed on by McNeil to the edge of the Wrexham area, but Williams was quickly off his line to tip the ball away from the outstretched leg of Elding.
After taking a knock in the final seconds of the first half, Silvio Spann failed to reappear after the interval, with Matty Crowell taking his place in midfield.
The Reds were denied what looked like a good shout for a penalty straight form the restart for the second half, when Mark Jones had his ankles clipped by Tierney and after trying to stay on his feet took two steps before going to ground - which was probably what swayed the referee's decision not to award the spot kick!
Marc Williams almost caught out Logan for a second time on 55 minutes when he got in between him and centre half Ashley Williams, but he could not steer the ball home with the target beckoning in front of him.
The striker was in on goal again two minutes later as he twisted and turned the home defence, but his angled left footed shot was turned away by the diving Logan.
After receiving prolonged treatment for what looked like cramp, Neil Taylor was replaced by Shaun Pejic, who took over at left back.
County went ahead from a 65thminute corner that seemed to be knocked passed the back post by Dominic Blizzard was on hand to apply the killer touch with a header.
This was signal for Juan Ugarte to re-appear in the first team, replacing Matty Done as the Reds went 4-3-3 in an attempt to get back into the game.
A chance fell soon after to Steve Evans, following a Wrexham corner that eventually carried the ball to the edge of the box, where the centre half steered his shot just inches wide.
On 72 minutes, Spender set Marc Williams away down the right flank and his cross field ball found Ugarte on the left, the striker pass back into the centre of the pitch for Crowell to send in a hot that carried just over the County crossbar.
Hope was booked for a body check on Taylor with eight minutes remaining.
Despite a valiant effort there was to be no happy ending with County able to hold onto their lead and take the three points.
Stockport: Conrad Logan, Gareth Owen, Ashley Williams, James Smith, Paul Tierney, Jason Taylor, Dominic Blizzard, Adam Griffin (Tommy Rowe 90), Anthony Elding, Matty McNeil, Adam Proudlock (David Poole 75).
Subs: Zac Jones, Gary Dicker, Greg Tansey.
Wrexham (4-4-1-1): Anthony Williams, Simon Spender, Steve Evans, Richard Hope, Neil Taylor (Shaun Pejic 63), Mike Carvill, Danny Williams, Silvio Spann (Matty Crowell 46), Matty Done (Juan Ugarte 68), Mark Jones, Marc Williams.
Subs: Michael Jones, Neil Roberts.
Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear)
Attendance: 5,513
Away: 500ish
Bookings:
Wrexham: Mark Jones (67, foul), Hope (83, foul)
