Wrexham dropped more points in the race for a top-three finish in League Two after losing 1-0 at home to Tranmere Rovers.
Having drawn 0-0 against Harrogate Town in midweek, a similar narrative unfolded this afternoon as Phil Parkinson’s men struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the derby and the warning signs were there early on.
Tranmere were fresh from beating Mansfield Town on Tuesday night, one of the teams Wrexham are battling against for promotion, and Nigel Adkins’s side completed a similar job on the hosts.
They played in a compact 4-4-2 shape, which didn’t allow Wrexham space in between the lines and they defended courageously throughout.
Although still third in the table, Parkinson’s men are now five points behind leaders Mansfield.
Wrexham are on the same number of points as second-place Stockport County, who have played two games less while MK Dons are fourth on the same tally as the Reds having played a game fewer.
Supporters can’t complain about the position their side is in heading into the last eight games, however, they do feel like – with the quality in the squad – they should comfortably finish in the automatic promotion places, or perhaps win the league.
Instead, it promises to be a nerve-jangling end and that is largely down to Wrexham’s wastefulness in the final third.
Phil Parkinson must resolve Wrexham’s wastefulness
In the goalless draw against Harrogate, Wrexham registered 16 shots on goal and only four on target.
That was followed up by recording 25 shots and just four on target in today’s derby defeat.
Across the last two games, Parkinson’s men have registered a whopping 41 shots on goal, but only eight on target and whilst that should be enough to win games, Wrexham failed to score in either.
That is because their creative spark in the final third is being shut down, while their strikers aren’t getting enough quality service into the box.
Wrexham wing-back Ryan Barnett played up to this narrative by putting just four successful crosses into the box of 17 attempted.
For a poacher, like Paul Mullin, it must be frustrating as he runs his socks off all game and gets himself into some promising positions, but has failed to register a single shot on target in his last two games.
After scoring seven goals in wins over Accrington Stanley and Morecambe, Wrexham were expected to do more damage in games against Harrogate and Tranmere.
Sadly, their threat has been nullified and Parkinson must resolve this issue before Saturday as it’s in-form Grimsby Town up next.