A good second half comeback and two goals by Michael Proctor earned Wrexham a point in a blood and thunder derby match at a rain soaked Racecourse ground.
New boss Brian Little's first Wrexham side showed seven changes from the team dumped out of the FA Cup by Peterborough United two weeks ago. Anthony Williams, Richard Hope, Chris Llewellyn and Eifion Williams were the only survivors of the starting line up from Brian Carey's last game as manager as Brian Little began his rescue mission against local rivals Chester City with a crackling pre kick off atmosphere evident at The Racecourse.
It was a cold Sunday lunchtime as Wrexham kicked off attacking the Eric Roberts end of the ground. The game started off at a crackling pace with one or two tasty tackles early on. With two minutes gone debutant Wes Baynes did well to block Ellison and Wrexham cleared the danger. The visitors had started brightly pushing the home side back and Neil Taylor defended well against Partridge.
Wrexham weathered the early storm and slowly played themselves back into the game. With Neil Roberts playing in midfield it was a slightly unusual look to the Red Dragons side with no recognised central midfield player but they settled down and started to probe at the Chester defence. As we approached the quarter of an hour mark it was Wrexham who were on top territorially and John Danby had to be quick off his line to deny Michael Proctor, the keeper clearing on the edge of the box.
With 20 minutes gone a controversial flag denied Eifion Williams a run on goal, Michael Proctor was certainly offside but Williams looked well on side, it proved academic as John Danby saved the strikers effort. Tony Dinning, after a lengthy spell of treatment, was replaced by Tony Grant with 25 minutes on the clock.
A minute later from a throw in the ball was played back to Kevin Roberts who scored with a superb strike from 25 yards giving Anthony Williams absolutely no chance. The Reds defence had gone to sleep unfortunately. Neil Roberts was then booked for a foul, before Sam Aiston fired a left foot shot wide of the target.
On 31 minutes, a Partridge corner was headed goalwards by Butler and Wes Baynes headed the ball off the line with Anthony Williams beaten. Wrexham had not really bounced back after the shock of the goal and could have gone two down.
On 36 minutes, a long ball was played over the Chester defence by Neil Roberts and Michael Proctor did superbly to control it and fire a right foot shot low into the Chester net with Danby well beaten. Two minutes later a good run by Llewellyn, his cross fell behind Proctor who fired in an effort deflected for a corner. As the passion grew with the crowd getting behind the Reds Michael Proctor was booked for a late tackle on Marples.
Nathan Lowndes was booked for a needless push on Shaun Pejic as the fourth official signalled five minutes added time. Eifion Williams fired over from a good position after he was freed down the right hand side.
Deep into added time Wrexham failed to effectively clear a Chester corner and a good cross back in by Ritchie Partridge was headed home by Paul Linwood with Anthony Williams making a brave attempt but unable to save the effort. It was the last meaningful action of the half and the visitors went in with the fillip of a crucial goal just before the break.
Second Half
No further changes in personnel at half time, as Wrexham attacked the Kop end of the ground in the second half and won an early corner. Neil Taylor swung it in and Steve Evans headed it towards goal where it was scrambled off the line and cleared by the visitors.
Nathan Lowndes took a heavy challenge from Neil Taylor and whilst he was off receiving treatment Chris Llewellyn forced John Danby into a save diving to his left. Lowndes did not return being replaced on 51 minutes by Paul McManus. Wrexham had certainly started the half brightly as they tried to level the scores.
On 54 minutes a Neil Taylor free kick was well held by Danby under pressure. The Wrexham players were certainly giving Brian Little effort and application but it was Chester who nearly added to the score when Wilson's shot was saved by Anthony Williams.
Chester were getting on top as Neil Roberts tired in the Wrexham midfield and the visitors dominated that area of the pitch. A slip by Wes Baynes on 61 minutes allowed McManus a run into the area but credit to Anthony Williams who was quickly off his line to grab the ball.
Wrexham's play had gone very scrappy as the pitch cut up and Chester looked more and more the likelier side. Brian Little responded by bringing Matty Done into the fray replacing Shaun Pejic as Wrexham switched to 4-4-2. Chester brought on Simon Yeo for Tony Grant.
Sam Aiston won a corner on 67 minutes, taken by Neil Taylor there were appeals for a handball as Evans header was blocked by a defender. The referee waived away the Wrexham appeals. The Wrexham central midfield of Neil Roberts and Chris Llewellyn was not proving effective and Chester were still on top. Mark Hughes was then booked for a poor challenge on Matty Done.
The game was now end to end as Matty Done sliced an effort wide whilst at the other end a mix up between Hope and Anthony Williams almost let in Partridge. Wrexham attacked again, Matty Done crossed and Michael Proctor joyfully volleyed home from eight yards with 74 minutes on the clock to send the Racecourse wild.
Robbie Garrett replaced Neil Roberts as Brian Little looked to tighten up the midfield area. The game was balanced on a knife edge as players on both sides visibly tired and huge spaces opened up all over the pitch. A good break by Wrexham involving Chris Llewellyn saw Aiston's shot deflected for a corner by Linwood.
Brian Little made his final change on 83 minutes replacing the on loan Sam Aiston with Simon Spender.
Wes Baynes was booked on 84 minutes for a lunge on Linwood. Both sides were pushing for the winner and a great run by Matty Done won Wrexham another corner which they wasted. With two minutes left Wilson's long cross saw McManus out jump Neil Taylor but his header looped over the bar.
There were three minutes added time but neither side could break the deadlock and a point for each side seemed a fair outcome to a thrilling derby match.
Wrexham (3-5-2): Anthony Williams, Shaun Pejic (Matty Done 65), Steve Evans, Richard Hope, Wes Baynes, Chris Llewellyn, Neil Roberts (Robbie Garrett 78), Sam Aiston (Simon Spender 83), Neil Taylor, Michael Proctor, Eifion Williams.
Subs: Michael Jones, Gareth Evans.
Chester City (4-3-3): John Danby, Simon Marples, Paul Linwood, Paul Butler, Lawrence Wilson, Ritchie Partridge, Mark Hughes, Tony Dinning (Tony Grant 25, Simon Yeo 66), Kevin Roberts, Kevin Ellison, Nathan Lowndes (Paul McManus 51).
Subs: Gavin Ward, Chris Holroyd.
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northampton)
Attendance: 7,687
Away: 1,977
Bookings -
Wrexham: Neil Roberts (foul), Michael Proctor (foul), Wes Baynes (foul)
Chester City: Nathan Lowndes (foul), Mark Hughes (foul)
