A 24th defeat of the season at Shrewsbury Town means that Wrexham are almost certain to be playing Blue Square Premier Division football next season.

The 3-0 reversal means the rock bottom Reds are nine points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining.

But the disappointment was the manner of the derby defeat.

So many times this season, despite not enjoying the best of fortunes, the effort put in by the Reds could not be questioned, but after conceding an early goal at Shrewsbury following another mistake, there was no fight from Wrexham.

That early setback knocked them and they never looked like getting something out of the game – and that against a team that had gone 15 matches without a win.

Supporters were disappointed there was no heart from Wrexham in what, as so many have been, was a must-win game.

Yes, Wrexham had chances, but they always looked liable to concede.

Fans have had to endure a lot this season – the last two campaigns in fact – and it will be music to their ears that manager Brian Little is planning a major rebuilding programme over the summer.

The current playing staff have, quite simply, not been good enough from day one this term.

Wrexham don't look a threat in front of goal and the fact they are the lowest scorers in the division and have not found the net three times in a game all season speaks for itself.

The amount of errors made at the other end is laughable, and Wrexham are where they are in the League Two table for a reason.

Everyone has theories for the predicament Wrexham find themselves in, but at the end of the day, it is what happens on the pitch that counts and the players have failed to produce the goods.

Little made five changes to the side beaten at MK Dons in their previous outing.

Simon Spender, Sam Aiston, Matty Done, Drewe Broughton and Michael Proctor were recalled to the starting 11, with Gareth Evans, Steve Evans, Danny Williams, Chris Llewellyn – a rare absentee through illness – and Stuart Nicholson the players making way.

Wrexham also switched from 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 system, with Marc Williams lining up on the right and Proctor leading the attack with Broughton.

But they found themselves trailing after just seven minutes following hesitancy in their back line.

Colin Murdock delivered a free-kick into the penalty area which Richard Hope and Gavin Ward left for each other, allowing Kevin McIntyre to head over the keeper into the net.

The Reds responded with Neil Roberts clearing the bar with a 20-yard half volley, and Proctor's header from Done's free-kick fell inches wide.

It was turning into an fiercely contested encounter with tackles flying in from both sets of players.

Shrewsbury were eager to build on their lead and Dave Hibbert's 25th minute close range effort was saved by Ward, while Marc Tierney's powerful strike cleared the bar and Marc Pugh also brought a save out of Ward.

Wrexham ended the half strongly and Marc Williams' low drive was saved by Scott Bevan after Broughton's cross was only partially cleared and Proctor's shot was gathered by the Shrewsbury keeper at the second attempt.

Broughton headed wide and Marc Williams' powerful shot from inside the area was parried by Bevan in injury time, in what had turned into an end-to-end clash.

The second half began with Broughton taking down Ward's long clearance but firing narrowly wide.

However, Shrewsbury doubled their advantage after 58 minutes when Tierney centred from the left and Wrexham-born Darren Moss rose above Neil Taylor to head past Ward.

McIntyre was also denied by Ward while Proctor was only just too high with a 25-yard free-kick at the other end.

Shrewsbury almost made it 3-0 when excellent skill enabled Steve Leslie to beat Simon Spender and he was allowed to run unchallenged into the six yard box before bringing a save out of Ward.

Wrexham came close to reducing the deficit with renewed pressure.

Roberts' header was deflected for a corner from which Bolland's header was tipped over by Bevan, and the next flag kick ended with Hope and Broughton both seeing efforts blocked in a packed goalmouth.

However, the Reds fell further behind on 68 minutes when substitute James Constable played a one-two with Dave Hibbert and was adjudged to have been brought down by Bolland in the area.

Hibbert's spot-kick was saved by Ward but Constable stuck away the loose ball following a scramble.

Wrexham pressed for a goal and Roberts' drive was saved by Bevan who got down low to turn the ball away, and the keeper also did well to keep out Broughton's header from substitute Paul Hall's cross.

But the Reds inevitably left gaps at the back and Constable picked out an unmarked Chris Humphrey who ran into the area before forcing Ward into an excellent save.

Thankfully Shrewsbury did not add to their tally – but they already done the damage.

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.