Wrexham's lack of fire power cost them dearly again as they failed to score at home yet again and Michael Symes lone strike was enough to win a tight game between two sides struggling for any sort of form.

Brian Carey made three changes for the visit of local rivals Shrewsbury Town. Playing a 4-4-2 formation Ryan Valentine returned from injury, new loan signing Matty Collins came in for the injured Mark Jones and Mike Carvill also started.

On a bright and sunny Sunday lunchtime in North Wales Shrewsbury kicked off attacking the Kop end of the ground. A crisp opening to the game as both sides sparred for an early advantage, Wrexham almost succeeded when Matty Collins, on his debut, arrived in the box late but fired wide.

Shrewsbury should have taken the lead on four minutes, when Dave Hibbert headed well wide, when unmarked, from a Neil Wainwright cross and from only six yards out.

On 10 minutes, Eifion Williams forced Glynn Garner into a fine save, the keeper back pedalling to tip the strikers' chip over for a corner. Steve Evans then went close with a header as the visitors struggled to clear the corner.

Wrexham pressed forward, with Neil Roberts and Eifion Williams linking well together up front. It was the home side that were on top territorially when a clash between Moss and Llewellyn saw the Shrewsbury player booked for his part in the incident.

A good pass by Eifion Williams released Llewellyn, the wingers cross was headed away for a corner which was easily cleared by Shrewsbury. Wrexham were certainly showing far better form than in recent home games as we went past the half way point of the first period, with the visitors showing little in the way of attacking ideas.

With 28 minutes gone a good piece of skill by Eifion Williams set up Chris Llewellyn who fired a fierce cross in but Neil Roberts in trying to put the ball into the net put it well over the bar. Two minutes later Ryan Valentine has a shot which bounced through harmlessly to Glynn Garner.

Seconds later a good run by Carvill set up Eifion Williams but unfortunately the striker missed his kick and sliced his effort wide. Wrexham really needed to make their pressure tell at this stage as they had Shrewsbury on the back foot.

On 35 minutes Hibbert scooped an effort goalwards from a good position but Anthony Williams watched it carefully and held it comfortably under his bar. Anthony Williams then did well to turn a cross from Pugh away from his goal as Shrewsbury had a good spell of possession.

Robbie Garrett fired well wide on 44 minutes after Matty Collins effort was blocked. We went into two minutes added time with Wrexham effectively down to 10 men, Mike Carvill struggling with the after effects of a fierce tackle by Tierney. Matty Done came on to replace him and quickly won a free kick by the corner flag.

Taken by Collins it found Steve Evans towering above his marker but the Welsh international defender headed wide of the target in the last action of the half.

Second Half

Shrewsbury replaced Moss with Ben Herd as Wrexham kicked off in the second half, and it was Wrexham who made the brighter opening with a good turn and cross by Neil Roberts causing a moment of concern for the visitors. It was a similar start to the first half really with both sides sparring for an opening.

On 53 minutes a long throw in from Hunt was headed goalwards by Dave Hibbert and Anthony Williams did superbly to turn the effort away for a corner. The visitors sensing an opportunity pressed forward and won a free kick conceded by Spender, it resulted in a goalmouth scramble but Wrexham survived as the ball bounced around the area.

The visitors did take the lead on 58 minutes when Michael Symes got a bit of luck, after a Steve Evans blocked clearance left him clear in the box and he fired a low shot under Anthony Williams.

Wrexham bounced back and Matty Done won a free kick on 61 minutes, Collins took it but Shrewsbury cleared it easily. Shrewsbury replaced Hibbert with Neil Ashton on 62 minutes and Marc Williams came on for Neil Roberts at the same time.

Matty Done went on a good run, drifted inside but his finish lacked power and ran harmlessly wide. In truth Wrexham were not creating anything in the final third of the field in the second half until a brilliant run by Done on 69 minutes, he set up Marc Williams, his flick was blocked by Garner, it fell to Robbie Garrett whose fierce drive from 20 yards was superbly saved by Garner diving to his left.

Brian Carey made his final switch on 75 minutes with Michael Proctor replacing Chris Llewellyn and Wrexham changing to a 4-3-3 formation.

Michael Symes was booked on 78 minutes for a body check on Matty Done and then Shrewsbury six minutes later replaced Pugh with Danny Hall. Matty Done was booked on 86 minutes for a foul on Herd.

Wrexham were seeing a lot of the ball but were not doing anything with it to reduce the deficit as all too often aimless balls were pumped up to the strikers and were swallowed up by the Shrewsbury defence.

In the four minutes added time Robbie Garrett was booked, Richard Hope received treatment and had his head bandaged but Wrexham could not equalise and it was the visiting supporters once again who celebrated three points at the Racecourse.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Anthony Williams, Simon Spender, Richard Hope, Steve Evans, Ryan Valentine, Mike Carvill (Matty Done 45), Robbie Garrett, Matty Collins, Chris Llewellyn (Michael Proctor 75), Eifion Williams, Neil Roberts (Marc Williams 62).
Subs: Neil Taylor, Gareth Evans.

Shrewsbury Town (4-4-2): Glynn Garner, Darren Moss (Ben Herd 46), Colin Murdock, Kelvin Langmead, Mark Tierney, Marc Pugh (Danny Hall 84), Dave Hunt, Stewart Drummond, Neil Wainwright, Dave Hibbert (Neil Ashton 62), Michael Symes.
Subs: Stuart Nicholson, Ryan Esson.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance:4,305
Away: 1,276

Bookings -
Wrexham: Matty Done (foul), Robbie Garrett (foul)
Shrewsbury: Darren Moss (foul), Michael Symes (foul)