Wrexham produced a positive display to earn a 1-1 draw with league leaders Birmingham and move closer to the automatic promotion spots.
Wrexham got off to the perfect start at the Racecourse Ground as Ollie Rathbone brilliantly curled an effort past goalkeeper Ryan Allsop to give Phil Parkinson’s side a ninth minute lead.
Just nine minutes later the ball flicked off George Dobson and past Arthur Okonkwo from a Lyndon Dykes header to draw Birmingham level.
The Red Dragons piled the pressure on second half in search of a winner and almost snatched victory when a James McClean header was stopped by the superb Allsop in the Blues net.
Three Winners from Wrexham v Birmingham
Ollie Rathbone
Having missed a headed opportunity against Shrewsbury Town, Rathbone found the net with a stunning effort into the bottom corner to give Wrexham a dream start to the game.
Rathbone worked tirelessly throughout the game and was the driving force for Parkinson’s side going forward whilst also helping McClean and Thomas O’Connor deal with the considerable Birmingham threat down their right hand side.
Wrexham will now be hoping the midfielder can continue to contribute goals from midfield in their bid for League One promotion.
George Dobson
Dobson shrugged the disappointment of his involvement in Birmingham’s equaliser to put in a display full of grit and determination in the middle of the park.
His work-rate was unmatched by any other player on the park and helped his side to wrestle the initiative in the second half by winning tackles and using the ball with purpose.
Parkinson will be pleased that his decision to bring Dobson back into the side was more than justified by the midfielder’s performance.
Wycombe Wanderers
Despite an excellent display from Wrexham, especially in the second half where they pinned the league leaders back and restricted them to just one shot on target in the whole game, Wycombe Wanderers will feel like the real winners.
The draw keeps Wrexham two points behind Wycombe and out of the automatic spots and the Red Dragons have also played a game more than their counterparts.
Wycombe may also have one eye on the League One title itself, they now sit just three points behind Birmingham.
Two Losers from Wrexham v Birmingham
Elliot Lee
Elliot Lee had a disappointing night as he struggled to have any impact playing in his preferred number ten role.
Lee scored 4/10 in the Wrexham player ratings and was smothered throughout the evening by a stubborn Birmingham defence.
Even when Lee did manage to find a small pocket of space, his quality on the ball was not at his usual standards.
Eoghan O’Connell
Eoghan O’Connell had a nightmare against Shrewsbury Town, which has ultimately cost him his place in the side.
O’Connell also made a high-profile mistake against Barnsley earlier in the month and may now struggle to regain his place in the side following an excellent defensive display against Birmingham.
Dan Scarr and Max Cleworth marshalled Birmingham’s incredible duo Jay Stansfield and Alfie May to great effect and should now keep their places ahead of the visit of Stevenage.