The Reds were the better side at Nene Park throughout and created the best of the scoring chances but they came across an in-from Rushden goalkeeper Alan Marriott who made a number of outstanding saves and deservedly won the man of the match award.

However, a defensive mistake on the hour mark allowed the home side to take the lead and Wrexham earned a draw thanks to Shaun Whalley's second goal of the season 15 minutes from time.

It was a much improved performance following the disappointing display in the 1-0 defeat at York City on Thursday.

Wrexham were more of an attacking threat and should have been out of sight by half-time. Had it not been for Marriott they would have been.

A lack of a cutting edge in the final third was once again evident after enjoying most of the possession but Wrexham trailed when they should have been ahead.

Last season, Wrexham would have lost after going behind but Little's new look side showed character to claw themselves back into the game.

The goal was no more than Wrexham deserved but you do have to say that this was two points dropped after controlling proceedings.

Having played three teams who are expected to be in the promotion shake-up, and another, Oxford United, are next up on Thursday, Little admitted he hoped the Reds would have got more points on the board than they have.

Wrexham will have to come to terms with sides like York raising their game when they face the Reds.

But Wrexham have showed against the likes of Rushden and Stevenage that, on their day, they are a force to be reckoned with themselves.

Little made two changes to the side beaten at York on Thursday.

Levi Mackin returned to the centre of midfield after serving a one match ban in place of Christian Smith while centre-back Steve Evans was handed a firststart of the season after Nat Brown failed to recover from a groin strain sustained against York.

Shaun Pejic provided defensive cover on the substitutes bench with Smith omitted from the squad.

Wrexham made an encouraging start to proceedings and put the home defence under some early pressure.

Simon Brown's fifth minute cross was volleyed narrowly wide by Jefferson Louis, while Sam Aiston was played in by Whalley and delivered from the by-line to the back post where defender Gareth Jelleyman managed to put the ball behind for a corner with Louis ready to convert.

Wrexham, enjoying plenty of possession, could not take advantage of three consecutive corners as the Reds continued to take the game to Rushden.

Rushden's first threat of a goal came on 25 minutes but Rob Wolleaston's low drive fell wide of the target, and as the home side came more into the game, striker Lee Phillips found the back of the net after neat build-up play but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Back came Wrexham and Aiston managed to pull back Evans' centre but Louis was not aware enough to take the pass with the goal at his mercy.

And Wrexham almost took the lead in the 34th minute. Keeper Alan Marriott only partially cleared the danger with a header, allowing Simon Brown to volley goalwards from 25 yards but Marriott scrambled back to palm the ball away for a corner.

And Marriott once again rescued Rushden in injury time when he brilliantly tipped Evans' powerful header over the bar from captain Tom Kearney's free-kick after Aiston was fouled by Curtis Osano.

Wrexham began the second half in the same vein and Kearney's 25 yard dipping drive was brilliantly turned over the bar by Marriott following a short free-kick.

But Rushden took the lead against the run of play after 61 minutes.

Andy Burgess was able to ride Simon Spender's weak tackle and centred for tall substitute Sam Smith who touched home from close range.

The Reds responded through Aiston who latched onto Mackin's pass and beat Osano but his shot was comfortably saved by Marriott.

Little made a double substitution on 71 minutes with widemen Neil Taylor and Wes Baynes replacing Aiston and Louis respectively, meaning that Brownswitched to an attacking role.

The two substitutes immediately linked up as Baynes picked out Taylor but his low drive was gathered by Marriott.

However, Wrexham scored the goal they deserved after 75 minutes.

Kearney drove forward into the area after winning a drop ball and fed Brownwho pulled the ball back for Whalley and he tapped into an empty net.

Rushden hit back through Smith who beat Evans but was denied by Ward, and the Reds' keeper also pulled off a smart save to keep out Lee Tomlin's long range effort.

Neither side could produce a winner and despite being the better team, Wrexham had to settle for a share of the spoils.

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.