A sixth successive match without victory saw Wrexham lose 4-1 at promotion chasing Milton Keynes Dons last night.

The writing was on the wall for Wrexham after what can only be described as a nightmare start.

The League Two highfliers were always going to be a difficult proposition for Wrexham, but the game was only ten minutes old and the Reds found themselves trailing 2-0.

Despite Neil Roberts pulling a goal back from the penalty spot, MK Dons gained revenge for their defeat at The Racecourse in January by scoring a third, and then rounding off the scoring in injury time.

But it had been far from one way traffic at stadium:mk.

In fact, take away the forgettable opening ten minutes for the visitors, and it was an evenly contested match on the whole.

MK Dons took their foot off the gas after racing out of the blocks with those two quick goals.
Wrexham gave it a real a go and had their moments before Roberts pulled agoal back, and the momentum was with the Reds at that stage.

But you always knew Paul Ince's side had more in the tank and they stepped up a gear when their lead was halved, and two more goals duly arrived.

No-one could criticise Wrexham's effort, but they once again paid the price for defensive fragilities.

There were more errors for the MK Dons goals, two of which was scored from set-pieces .
Wrexham are still seven points away from safety after rivals Notts County also lost, but the games are running out and the Reds have got just five matches to pull clear of trouble.

Little made two changes – both enforced – to the side that drew in theprevious outing against Macclesfield.

Gareth Evans, whose preferred position is in the centre of defence, was back in place of the injured Simon Spender in the right-wing back position, and the other change saw Stuart Nicholson take over in attack from Drewe Broughton, who was ineligible to face his parent club.

Marc Williams, playing in the hole behind the front two against Macclesfield, partnered Nicholson in attack, meaning Chris Llewellyn reverted to a midfield role.

But Wrexham fell a goal behind after just two minutes when Steve Evans failed to cut out a Dean Lewington free-kick and centre-back Danny Swailes stole in at the back post to touch past Gavin Ward.

And Wrexham had barely recovered from that set-back when they conceded a second goal on ten minutes.

Striker Jemal Johnson was able to pull the ball back from the by-line and anunmarked Aaron Wilbraham slotted beyond Ward from inside the area.

The Reds had not been at the races and were left facing an uphill task, but at least they began to create some openings in an attempt to claw their way back into the match.

Neil Roberts' 25-yard drive fell narrowly wide and then Nicholson took down Neil Taylor's cross but saw his shot was saved by keeper Willy Gueret.

Wrexham came closest to pulling a goal back in the 28th minute when Marc Williams wriggled free and saw his low drive parried by Gueret, but Lewington beat Nicholson to the loose ball and was able to clear.

Nicholson was not far from finding the target from outside the area after Danny Williams' free-kick was blocked but Gueret wasn't troubled, and Wrexham continued to try their luck from range without any joy.

The Reds had created more of the chances, although many had been from outside the area and had not troubled the target, but the Dons' quick fire start was the difference between the sides and gave given the home side a nice cushion.

The first opportunity in the second half fell to Wrexham but Steve Evans' shot from Gareth Evans' cross was deflected over the bar for a corner.

Credit to Wrexham, they had not given up and pulled a goal back in the 59th minutes.

Roberts was hauled down in the area by Carl Regan after taking down Danny Williams' cross and referee Danny McDermid had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

However, the London official did not show Regan even a yellow card when he was clearly the last man, but Roberts stepped up to confidently convert the penalty.

MK Dons responded and Ward was immediately forced into his first real save of note, managing to turn Mark Wright's effort over the bar for a corner.

And MK Dons reclaimed their two-goal lead after 75 minutes when Lewington sent in a corner and an unmarked Sean O'Hanlon headed past Ward.

Michael Proctor immediately replaced Danny Williams, joining fellow substitute Matty Done who had been brought on in place of Nicholson prior to the goal.

But that third goal had dented Wrexham's hopes and Dons went on to take advantage of more sloppy defending to score a fourth in injury time.

Wrexham were undone by a quickly taken free-kick and Aaron Wilbraham rounded Ward before tucking the ball into the net.

Defeat was another nail in the coffin for Wrexham whose chances of avoiding the drop are getting worse by the match.

Ask Brian

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