Brian Little's side were beaten 2-1 against Grays Athletic at The Recreation Ground, failing to win back-to-back victories for the first time in 18 months after seeing off Ebbsfleet United in the previous outing.

No disrespect to Grays but this is as low as Wrexham have come in their proud history, and there is a growing cause for concern that the Reds can't hack it in this division.

Inconsistency is proving to be Wrexham's downfall this term.

It is real Jekyll and Hyde stuff from Wrexham who have come up with a mixed bag of results this season and seem unable to put a decent run together.

And it is not just results that are up and down. Wrexham were terrible in the first half at Grays and found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break after some woeful defending.

It seems that Wrexham need a dreadful start to spark them into life.
Although it wasn't great after the break, Wrexham improved and pulled a goal back through Levi Mackin's excellent free-kick.

But Wrexham had given themselves too much to do, and the error strewn Reds could have shipped more goals of their own as Grays continued to create decent scoring chances.

Grays are not going to set the Blue Square Premier alight but they were well-organsied, eager to impress new manager Tim O'Shea and oozed a great team spirit.

Quite simply, and not for the first time in recent weeks, Wrexham were just not good enough and Grays deserved three points as they were the better side.

The boos that rang out from the away end, with about 100 loyal fans making the long journey to see another pitiful performance, says it all.

And the supporters were justified in their reaction, having had to put up poor performances and results for far too long now.

So where next for Wrexham?

With two home games this week, it is imperative that Wrexham go all out for back to back wins against Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow and Torquay United on Saturday.

Form at The Racecourse is much better than on the road where 12th place Wrexham need a big improvement if they are to keep track with the promotion challengers.

Little opted to name the same starting eleven that overcome Ebbsfleet in the previous outing, with leading scorer Jefferson Louis passed fit after recovering from a hamstring problem sustained in the victory.

But the versatile Nat Brown, who has featured in the centre of defence and midfield for the Reds this term, was recalled to the substitutes bench having been restricted to just three league starts because of a recurring groin strain.

A frantic start saw Grays take the game to Wrexham and a number of promising openings gave the Reds plenty of problems.

Neil Taylor saw a 20-yard free-kick comfortably saved at the other end, but Wrexham lacked invention and were not making any headway in the final third, with the long ball tactics not working.

Mark Molesley cut in from the right flank for Grays in the 21st minute, with centre-backs Steve Evans and Darran Kempson losing their footing, and his low drive was saved by keeper Gavin Ward.

Shaun Whalley's looping header from Simon Spender's cross just cleared the bar following a flowing move when Wrexham did get the ball down, but the Reds found themselves trailing in the 40th minute.

Kieron St Aimie latched on to a long Button clearance which caught Simon Spender out and the on loan striker - making his first start after joining on loan from Barnet - raced clear before slotting past Ward.

Tom Kearney saw a 25-yard drive tipped around the post by Button after a Carl Tremarco throw-in was only partially cleared, but Grays took advantage of more dreadful defending to take a 2-0 lead in injury time.

Wrexham miserably failed to clear their lines from a Rob Gier cross, with Kempson's mis-placed header keeping the pressure on, and St Aimie was allowed to take control in the area unchallenged before firing past Ward.

The Reds began the second half with Louis running on to Kempson's clearance before seeing his volley parried by Button.

But Wrexham were given hope when they equalised after 50 minutes.

Evans was brought down on the edge of the penalty area and Kearney rolled the ball into the path of Mackin who found the top corner with a brilliantly struck free-kick.

After giving themselves a lifeline, Wrexham almost shot themselves in the foot as Kempson stood on the ball and was dispossessed but Sean Rigg, with only Ward to beat, he was denied by the keeper.

Wrexham were coming more into the match and Tremarco pulled the ball back for Louis who went inches wide after trying to place his effort in the top corner.

And Simon Brown should have converted substitute Wes Baynes' cross but a diving Button was able to save on the line despite the efforts of Louis.

But Stuart Elliott almost restored Grays' two goal lead but his long range drive just cleared the bar, while a well placed Rigg screwed his shot wide as the home side continued to threaten, and he also blasted over when Spender was dispossessed.

Substitute Michael Proctor saw an injury time shot blocked and Louis' header from the resulting corner was saved by Button, but there was no denying Grays deserved their victory.


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