Wrexham could have gone top of the League One table on Thursday night but served up yet another dismal away performance.
Wrexham had a 12-day break after facing Peterborough United with Thursday’s trip to Shrewsbury Town presenting a fascinating return.
The Shrews are battling against relegation but Wrexham’s away form this season meant this was no easy game.
Wrexham just never really got going and John Marquis fired the hosts in front, only for Steven Fletcher to draw Wrexham level.
Fans hoped for a much better second-half display but it just never came with Marquis restoring Shrewsbury’s lead from the penalty spot.
Wrexham huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Shrewsbury house down, falling to derby day defeat in Shropshire.
Eoghan O’Connell in danger as Wrexham lose
A number of Wrexham players were well below par and once again have questions to answer in terms of performances on the road.
One major problem in the Wrexham side was the performance of centre back Eoghan O’Connell.
It’s never nice to pick out one player but O’Connell also struggled away at Barnsley on New Year’s Day.
O’Connell was all over the place for Barnsley’s second goal in that 2-1 defeat and Shrewsbury’s opener came in somewhat similar circumstances.
The Irishman couldn’t deal with George Lloyd and fell to the deck, allowing Marquis to go on and score.
O’Connell then gave away the penalty early in the second half, miscontrolling Matty James’ pass and hauling down Lloyd.
You could even argue that O’Connell was lucky not to give away another penalty as he inadvertently tripped that man Lloyd again.
O’Connell was substituted as Wrexham chased a leveller but when he needed a big performance after his Barnsley struggles, he just didn’t deliver.
O’Connell impressed against Peterborough United but it may well be that Parkinson needs to give somebody else a chance in the heart of defence.
Dan Scarr will be knocking on the door
O’Connell’s poor display – a second in a row on the road – may just leave Parkinson with no other option but to consider his position in the side.
Wrexham have a proven League One and Championship defender kicking his heels on the bench in Dan Scarr.
Scarr joined Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle in August but hasn’t played a League One game since the 1-0 defeat to Stockport County in November and has been stuck on the bench of late.
The 30-year-old equipped himself well during a run in the side earlier in the season though and is surely knocking on the door for another chance after O’Connell’s tough night.
Parkinson will watch this game back and assess his options but Scarr surely has to be in his thinking against Birmingham City – Scarr’s boyhood club – next week.