The Reds were beaten 2-1 by Mansfield Town last night in the big basement battle at Field Mill.

Something had to give in the clash between the bottom two and the reality is that the writing really is on the wall for Wrexham.

There was so much at stake last night but despite battling until the end, Wrexham just could not come up with the goods.

A draw would not have done much for either side's hopes of staying up but it is Mansfield who stand a much better chance after securing a vital three points.

Wrexham remain eight points away from safety and they are running out of matches in the fight for survival.

With just seven more games remaining, Wrexham have got an awful lot to do if they are to avoid relegation for a second successive season.

The Reds have been unable to put any kind of run together and just when they have needed it most, three defeats and a solitary draw from their last four matches means they are now fighting an uphill battle.

The theme tune to the Great Escape film rang out at Field Mill but it looks like only Mansfield have a realistic chance of pulling that off.

There was nothing between the sides in an even first half, although Wrexham did have the better half chances.

However, Mansfield, with the wind advantage, stepped up a gear after thebreak and their pressure led to two goals in three minutes, although the first effort was following a controversial penalty decision.

Wrexham, cheered on by 600 visiting fans, were put under the cosh with more Mansfield pressure but the Reds were given hope when substitute Marc Williams pulled a goal back, but they could not trouble the scoring again.

Manager Brian Little is now hoping that Wrexham can beat Macclesfield on Saturday and at least keep alive those slim hopes of reaching safety.

While some would say that is improbable, Little is not giving up until it is mathematically certain, although he knows Wrexham need a huge turn around in fortunes if they are to succeed.

Little made three changes to the side that was beaten at Barnet and decided to operate with a 4-4-2 system.

Defender Mike Williams, brought on as a substitute at Underhill, midfielder Neil Roberts - free from illness and declared fit despite knocking himself unconscious in training on Monday - and striker Stuart Nicholson all returned to the starting eleven.

That meant Richard Hope, Matty Done and Michael Proctor were the trio who made way.

They had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench along with midfielder Danny Williams, who had been absent from first team duty sinceOctober after undergoing back surgery.

Mansfield had the first scoring chance in the third minute but Michael Boulding's header from Matthew Hamshaw's cross was easily saved by Gavin Ward.

The action switched immediately to the other end as keeper Ward's long clearance fell for Drewe Broughton and his 25 yard drive fell wide of the target.

Wrexham were beginning to impose themselves on the game and Broughton brought a save out of keeper Carl Muggleton, while Paul Hall's corner was headed across the face of goal by Phil Bolland as the Reds continued to create openings.

But Mansfield, led by 23-goal Michael Boulding, were also proving to be an attacking threat with their quick breaks and an important Gareth Evans block cut out Hamshaw's goalbound drive.

The game swung from end to end and Chris Llewellyn's right foot shot from outside of the area landed marginally wide, while Stephen Dawson went even closer for Mansfield but his attempt from 20 yards was just inches off target.

Hall then saw his rocket shot charged down in the area a minute before the break but Wrexham, with the wind in their favour, had failed to capitalise despite creating the better half chances and it remained all-square at the break.

Mansfield came out fired up at the start of the second half and their earlypressure came to fruition, although it was a controversial penalty they wereawarded.

Hamshaw's corner led to a scramble and although Evans handled in the six yard area, he appeared to have been pushed to the ground and referee Nigel Miller pointed to the penalty spot.

Wrexham's protests fell on deaf ears and Jefferson Louis converted the spot kick by sending Ward the wrong way in the 52nd minute.

Things got worse for Wrexham just three minutes later when Mansfield doubled their advantage.

Hamshaw split the Reds' defence with an excellent through ball which unmarked right-back John Mullins latched onto and slotted past Ward.

It was one-way traffic as Mansfield continued to exert pressure on Wrexham and Ward did well to stop Hamshaw's long range effort from crossing the line.

Little made a double substitution after 64 minutes with Michael Proctor and Danny Williams replacing Roberts and Hall.

A rare second half effort on goal from Wrexham saw Llewellyn fire wide before Marc Williams was brought on in place of Broughton.

Mansfield were still pushing for goals and Jake Buxton's header was saved by Ward, but Wrexham were given a lifeline 12 minutes from time.

Nicholson's drive following Spender's free-kick was parried by Muggleton and Marc Williams tucked home the rebound from close range.

Back came Mansfield and Ward saved from Dawson while Spender blocked Boulding's follow up.

Time got the better of Wrexham and the Reds now really do have it all to do if they are to pull clear of trouble.

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.