Wrexham knew the importance of three points coming into this fixture at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham once tried to sign Bolton’s John McAtee and he started in attack for the visitors as Matty James came in for the injured Andy Cannon in Wrexham’s starting eleven.
In a tight first half, Sam Smith squandered the best chance as he saw his header go over the bar from a delicious Ryan Longman cross.
Bolton had the ball in the net at the start of the second half but it was disallowed for offside. Thomas O’Connor then missed a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring but he blazed over from five yards.
Wrexham will be disappointed not to find the break through that their second half performance deserved however, Phil Parkinson’s side gain a point on promotion rivals Wycombe. Here are the winners and losers from the League One clash at the Racecourse Ground.
Winners from Wrexham’s clash with Bolton Wanderers
Ryan Longman
Longman was given man of the match by the club’s sponsors at the game and also scored the highest in the Wrexham player ratings.
It was a huge call from Parkinson to drop the impressive Ryan Barnett from the side but Longman more than merited his start with an outstanding performance down the right flank.
Longman was direct in his play and produced a number of excellent crosses into the box with both feet, something which made defending him even more difficult for the Bolton defenders.
Wrexham will be hoping this form can continue and it won’t be long before the strikers are gobbling up the quality he is providing into the penalty area.
Sebastian Revan
On the opposite wing, Sebastian Revan has been introduced in the last two league games in the injury absence of captain James McClean.
Revan played well against Mansfield and was even more impressive in the 0-0 draw with Bolton. He was a constant threat down the left hand side and showed great pace and power.
His end product was of good quality with a number of decent crosses and he was looking to get round the back and on the end of crosses from the opposite flank. An impressive display from Revan and Parkinson will have a tough decision for their trip to Huddersfield should McClean be fit to return.
Losers from Wrexham’s clash with Bolton Wanderers
Thomas O’Connor
A real solid showing defensively from O’Connor, he dealt with everything in the air and was comfortable in dealing with any ground duels that he faced.
However, the defender will be kicking himself for missing the biggest opening of the game early in the second half.
Longman nodded a deep cross back across the goal and after Jay Rodriguez tussled with his man, the ball fell to O’Connor five yards out unmarked with the goal at his mercy.
Unfortunately for the Red Dragons, O’Connor produced a defender’s finish at the vital moment and leaned back to blaze the ball over the bar in what would have given his side three points.
Matty James
There was no doubting Matty James’s work rate as he replaced the injured Cannon, the experienced midfielder won a lot of second balls and made life hard for his Bolton counterparts.
However, there is no denying that James’s introduction to the Wrexham midfield slows their game down and stifles the creativity. At times, James looked lost on the ball in the first half and the Red Dragons will continue to drop points unless that area is solved.
Phil Parkinson
Parkinson had an opportunity to make a real statement against his former side however, he went safe with his team selection in midfield yet again.
James and Dobson struggle to play together and it was the opportunity for Parkinson to find a more creative blend to his side in the middle of the park.
The manager has options at his disposal, Elliot Lee sat on the bench whilst George Evans and Harry Ashfield didn’t even make the squad.
Midfield is an area that could be the difference between promotion or another season in League One and Parkinson must be braver moving forward.