Wrexham faced Bristol Rovers in a crucial game in their hunt for League One promotion.
Phil Parkinson made changes to his Wrexham starting eleven for the first time in six games as Ryan Barnett and Elliot Lee returned to the side.
The Red Dragons started the game on the front foot but tension began to grow at the Racecourse Ground as Taylor Moore put Bristol Rovers ahead just after the half hour mark from a corner.
Things got worse for the home side as captain for the day Eoghan O’Connell went off injured at half time for Dan Scarr in a real worry for the remainder of the campaign.
With frustrations growing, Matty James popped up with an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, arriving late into the box to place one into the bottom left hand corner.
Wrexham huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Bristol Rovers house down and they had to settle for a point, which now leaves them trailing in the race for the Championship.
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Wrexham now trail Wycombe by a point after their 2-0 victory at Bolton, here are the winners and losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Bristol Rovers.
Two winners from Wrexham’s clash with Bristol Rovers
Matty James
Got the nod over Dobson as the more defensive-minded player in the midfield from the start but made his mark on the game in an attacking sense.
With the Red Dragons trailing, they needed a moment of inspiration and James provided it by arriving late in the penalty area and curling an excellent finish past the Bristol Rovers keeper.
James has been terrific in recent months for Parkinson’s side and has shown his experience and leadership on a number of occasions, this goal was his latest moment for Wrexham.
Wycombe Wanderers
This could prove to be a pivotal day in the promotion race as Wycombe come away from a tough trip to Bolton with a 2-0 victory as the Red Dragons drop points against a team they would expect to beat.
The results leave Wycombe now in the driving seat, leading by a point with three games to go as they now welcome Charlton on Easter Monday as Wrexham travel to Blackpool.
Four losers from Wrexham’s clash with Bristol Rovers
Elliot Lee
Lee was given his chance from the start by Parkinson after he replaced George Dobson in midfield but failed to grasp the opportunity.
He started the game brightly enough, picking up the ball in little pockets as his manager would have hoped but his use of the ball was far from what was required.
As the game progressed his influence dwindled and Wrexham needed his creativity against a Bristol Rovers side that had something to cling on to.
Eoghan O’Connell
In terms of performance, O’Connell was his usual commanding self and played no real part in Bristol Rovers opening the scoring.
However, moments before half time, the captain for the day played a pass into midfield and then went down in a heap.
The Irish defender took his left shin pad off although it seemed as though he tweaked something upon striking the ball, if it is a muscular injury then participation in the remaining four league games could be in doubt.
Ryan Barnett
Another player given the opportunity to impress from the start and with Barnett currently leading the charts for assists in the division it was a bold attacking move from the manager that ultimately didn’t pay off.
Barnett looked rusty from the off with his first touch and was caught on the ball in dangerous areas several times.
Just after the hour mark having failed to get the better of his full back or provide any real sort of quality into the box, Barnett was replaced by James McClean and must be wondering whether he will get another chance this season.
Jay Rodriguez
Wrexham fans want Rodriguez dropped and whilst his performances are being put under the spotlight more than usual because of the absence of Paul Mullin, he continues to disappoint in a red shirt.
A player of his experience and quality should be taking games like this by the scruff of the neck and leading by example but instead he continues to be a passenger for Parkinson’s side.
There comes a time where change is needed and Parkinson must now consider a different partner for Sam Smith against Blackpool as he is becoming more and more isolated as the games pass.