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>> Wrexham draw stuns boss Little
>> SLIDESHOW: Wrexham 0 - Dagenham 0

Wrexham missed a succession of scoring chances - some really decent opportunities - as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Dagenham and Redbridge at The Racecourse yesterday.

Manager Brian Little was disappointed with his side's performance in the defeat at Brentford 48 hours previously, and he certainly could not fault the effort of his players against Dagenham.

Wrexham were on top throughout the contest and their goal scoring opportunities outnumbered Dagenham's by far.

It was a frustrating day in particular for Drewe Broughton who just could not find the back of the net for the Reds despite finding himself in a number of good positions.

How Broughton didn't add to his lone Wrexham goal was a mystery.

A number of Broughton's efforts, particularly headers, could not find the target or a way past Dagenham keeper Tony Roberts as Wrexham dominated, while his Reds' team-mates also had chances to break the deadlock.

Opposite number Gavin Ward only had one save to make in the second half as Wrexham pushed in vain for a winner.

Despite all Wrexham's pressure, Dagenham weathered the storm and failure to take those chances could cost the Reds dearly.

Wrexham lost more ground on the fight to avoid relegation after seeing rivals Macclesfield win against Barnet, while fellow strugglers Notts County also recorded a draw.

There are now seven points between Wrexham and safety and although the Reds have got games in hand, and still have to face the three sides above them, really have to be more decisive in front of goal if they are to pull clear of trouble.

Little made two changes to the side beaten against Brentford.

Defender Richard Hope and winger Matty Done – making his first start since December 1– were recalled to the side in place of Mike Williams, who had been called up for Wales under 21 international duty, and Neil Roberts.

That meant Wrexham reverted to a 3-5-2 formation, with Done operating in a left wing back position and Sam Aiston and Chris Llewellyn pushing into more central positions.

Little certainly got the response he was hoping from his side as Wrexham went straight at Dagenham from the first whistle.

Michael Proctor's third minute shot was deflected wide for a corner from which Done's delivery was met by Drewe Broughton but his header was saved on the line by keeper Roberts.

Wrexham's lively start continued and Broughton's low drive in the eighth minute fell narrowly wide.

Dagenham countered, and their first meaningful effort from Dave Rainford on 17 minutes was only yards away from the target, while increased pressure came from Wrexham but Broughton's header was easily saved by Roberts.

More chances were created by the Reds as another Broughton header from Sonner's corner was brilliantly tipped away by Roberts for a corner, and then Aiston nodded wide.

Dagenham were coming more into the contest and Ben Strevens fired straight at Ward following a poor clearance, while indecision in the Reds' defence saw Peter Gain''s drive blocked by Phil Bolland in the six yard box.

Simon Spender's cross was headed wide by Broughton but back came Dagenham and Rainford was not far away from giving his side the lead, and Strevens' free header was just too high.

Wrexham were not being helped by simple mistakes in their own half but it remained goal-less at the break.

Roberts was brought on in place of Sonner for the start of the second period, and Wrexham created an opening just four minutes in when Broughton fed Aiston whose low drive was parried by Roberts, but Proctor's follow-up in the danger zone was blocked.

Wrexham came even closer to scoring when Llewellyn played in Done on the left flank and he crossed into the area for Broughton who was denied by Roberts, and Proctor struck the post from the loose ball.

Another chance immediately fell for Broughton but he went agonisingly wide of the target after 57 minutes, and the striker's curling 20-yard effort failed to test Roberts.

It had been one-way traffic in the second half but Strevens brought a 65th minute save out of Ward.

However, the action soon returned to the other end and Broughton headed Llewellyn's centre inches wide, while Stuart Nicholson and Wes Baynes replaced Proctor and Spender late in the game.

Still Wrexham pressed and Roberts' downward header from Done's cross landed wide, but there was to be no happy ending for the Reds who had to be content with a point.

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.