The club was today waking up to the prospect of preparing for life in the Blue Square Premier Division after losing 2-0 against Hereford United at Edgar Street.

Relegation has been sealed because rock bottom Wrexham cannot overtake nearest rivals Mansfield Town and Dagenham and Redbridge, who meet on the final day of the season.

Having been in the drop zone since the middle of October, and bottom for the majority of that time, Wrexham's 87-year unbroken membership of the Football League was always going to be under threat.

It was a possibility that no-one wanted to believe, but following a season of massive under-achievement on the pitch, the fateful day has been getting closer and closer.

Wrexham have just been unable to make up ground on their fellow strugglers and, in the end, relegation was inevitable.

They have not been good enough and time has finally run out after what really has been a season to forget.

Defeat after defeat, inability to win two consecutive matches – lone victories themselves have been sparse – and being the lowest scorers in the division speaks volumes for what supporters have had to endure.

Yet despite all that, nearly 500 travelling fans still made the trip to Hereford to see the final nail in the coffin.

This was yet another demonstration of the unbelievable – some would say undeserved – support that Wrexham have been given during this traumatic season.

And despite leaving fans contemplating trips to the likes of Forest Green Rovers and Salisbury, the Reds were still cheered off at the final whistle amid chants of 'Wrexham till I die.'

Everyone will now be watching Little's movements over the summer, and who stays, who goes and who is brought in under his rebuilding plan.

Whatever happens, trying to bounce back with an immediate promotion campaign has got to be top of the agenda when he assembles his playing staff.

Continuing with his policy of giving younger members of his squad their chance, Little stuck with the core of the squad that beat Notts County at the weekend, but he did make one change in the centre of midfield
Conall Murtagh, having recently returned from a loan at Blue Square Premier division outfit Droylsden, was handed his first Reds' start since New Year's Day at Chesterfield following his substitute appearance at the weekend in place of Andy Fleming.

There was also a place on the substitutes' bench for on-loan Robbie Garrett who had not featured under Little since the middle of December.

There was an explosive start to proceedings with both sides going close in the opening exchanges.

Just 25 seconds had gone when Murtagh's weak shot was gathered by keeper Wayne Brown, while Richard Rose immediately fired narrowly side at the other end.

Matty Done then embarked on a charging run that saw him tear through the Hereford defence, but Brown got down low to keep out the winger's shot.

And with the game only four minutes old Theo Robinson was put though on goal, but with just keeper Gavin Ward to beat he somehow failed to hit the target.

With both sides desperate for points for contrasting reason, the two sides were giving their all in a lively encounter.

Resolute defending from Wrexham was keeping Hereford at bay, but the home side were proving a real threat with their dangerous, quick breaks as the Reds' back line made some vital interceptions.

Wrexham were not without their moments and another probing run by Done, a transfer target of Hereford in the January transfer window, led to another effort which was gathered by Brown.

And it was the Reds who almost opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Ward's long clearance was flicked on by Marc Williams but Roberts' powerful drive was turned around the post by Brown.

Wrexham had to soak up more pressure and Hereford's attacking presence paid dividends three minutes before the break.

Robinson backheeled the ball into the path of Gary Hooper who shrugged Mike Williams' challenge before firing across Ward and into the back of the net.

The Reds, with 45 minutes to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop, made an encouraging start to the second half.

But after losing possession in the Hereford half, Robinson broke forward and he struck the post from 25 yards, and a close range effort from Robinson was desperately blocked in the six yard box while Wrexham countered and Roberts' flick-on fell for Marc Williams whose powerful shot was pushed in the air and eventually saved by Brown.

But Hereford made it 2-0 on the hour mark when Hooper played the ball in behind the Reds' defence for an unmarked Robinson to slot past Ward.

Another chance then went begging for Robinson as he allowed Ward to gather, while Little made all three substitutions by the 68th minute in an effort to get back into the game.

It was Hereford who continued to press and Shaun Pejic made a last ditch clearance to deny Clint Easton an 85th minute scoring opportunity in the area.

Substitute Proctor's curling effort from inside the area was saved by Brown in injury time after he beat Dean Beckwith, but there was no way back for Wrexham.

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.