Wrexham closed the gap on second place Wycombe to just two points with a battling 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City.
Ollie Rathbone got Wrexham off to the dream start with a superb curling effort from 25 yards that beat Ryan Allsop into the bottom left hand corner.
A Lyndon Dykes header ricocheted off the back of George Dobson to draw Birmingham level with 18 minutes on the clock.
Phil Parkinson’s men knocked at the Blues door all second half and had chances from a number of set-pieces, James McClean producing an outstanding save from Allsop with a near-post header.
Overall, the Red Dragons will be disappointed with the draw given that they restricted the visitors to just a solitary shot on target.
Wrexham player ratings vs Birmingham City
Arthur Okonkwo- 6
Dealt with a number of corners well in the first half. Distribution with his feet at times was found wanting. Did not have a single save to make in the match.
Max Cleworth- 6.5
Reliable in his defensive work and kept the threat of Stansfield and May very quiet with some excellent tackles. Struggled to cope with Birmingham’s movement at set-pieces.
Dan Scarr- 6
Lost his man Dykes at the corner for Birmingham’s first goal and was perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty from another set-piece with a handball. Marshalled the back three well and coped with the considerable Birmingham threat from open play well.
Thomas O’Connor- 6.5
Defended with great heart and courage, used his body well to smother out a great chance for Alfie May at a vital moment in the game. Looked nervy on the ball at times, giving away possession too easily. Set-piece deliveries were superb all game.
Ryan Barnett-6.5
Not his usual free-flowing attacking outlet down the right hand side, Barnett had a different role by marshalling the Birmingham threat from Alexander Cochrane and Jay Stansfield.
James McClean- 6.5
Worked up and down the left hand side all game, diligent in his defending and tried to provide quality crosses for Palmer and Lee to attack.
George Dobson- 7
Unfortunate with the own goal for Birmingham’s first as they ball cannoned off his back but worked tirelessly in the middle of midfield breaking up play and using the ball cleverly.
Matt James- 7.5
Snapped into tackles and did not let the Birmingham midfield breathe in the first half. Tried to make things happen on the ball in the second half but couldn’t unlock a stubborn defence.
Ollie Rathbone-9
Set Wrexham on their way with a fantastic curling effort into the bottom left hand corner. Rathbone covered every blade of grass on the pitch and was the driving force at the heart of Wrexham’s impressive midfield display.
Elliot Lee-4
Struggled to find the space to get on the ball and dictate things for his side. Worked hard in his defensive duties but lacked decisiveness on the ball when he did receive it.
Ollie Palmer-7
Worked relentlessly hard as always and typified his work ethic by winning the ball back for Wrexham’s opening goal.
Substitutes
Paul Mullin- 6
Almost produced a couple of moments of magic with a wicked cross that was just behind the on-rushing Dobson and a beautiful pass over the top of the defence for strike partner Fletcher. Both came to nothing in the end.
Steven Fletcher- 5.5
Made his presence up top known in his little time on the pitch. Denied by Allsop with a header from a Thomas O’Connor set-piece.