Wrexham lost their 100 per cent record at The Racecourse this term after a defensive error gifted Burton Albion what turned out to be the only goal.

Carl Tremarco's under hit back pass just needed to be cleared by Gavin Ward but the goalkeeper paid the price for trying to dribble past Shaun Harrad who won the ball and slotted into an empty net.

It was similar errors that cost Wrexham dearly on numerous occasions last term, contributing to the club's relegation to the Blue Square Premier.

But it was not just the manner of Burton's goal that was so disappointing.

Having seen Wrexham see off much fancied Stevenage Borough and Oxford United in the opening two home games - without conceding a goal - this in contrast was a poor performance from the Reds.

Wrexham were their own worst enemy, making far too many problems for themselves by losing possession too easily and seeing too many passes go astray.

The Reds were making basic mistakes in their own half, allowing a well organised Burton side, who played the better football throughout and controlled the midfield, to come at them.

One error, obviously, proved costly, but Ward had little else to do in the first half despite Burton creating the chances.

Wrexham had lacked ideas when getting to the penalty area, but at least they carved out openings in the second half and gave themselves a chance of getting something out of the game, but their finishing let them down.

Simon Brown, who hit the bar with the only chance in the first half, twice came close after the interval, but Wrexham struggled to break down a resilient Burton back line.

Having recorded a first away win of the season at Salisbury on Saturday, it was a huge disappointment not to see Wrexham build on their impressive start to the campaign in front of their home fans.

Nigel Clough's Burton are a decent side, and they will be there or there abouts come April.

But Wrexham only had themselves to blame.

Manager Brian Little made just one enforced change to the side that started Saturday's victory at Salisbury.

Nat Brown was ruled out with a recurrence of a groin strain sustained on his comeback so Levi Mackin, who had been relegated to the substitutes benchagainst Salisbury, earned a recall.

And striker Michael Proctor was named in the squad for the first time this season, giving Little attacking options on the bench.
It was Wrexham who almost got their noses in front after just six minutes.

Wes Baynes won possession with a superb sliding tackle on Aaron Webster and he fed Simon Brown whose 25 yard drive struck the underside of the bar, while Jefferson Louis failed to hit the target with the loose ball.

But Wrexham gifted Burton the lead in the 15th minute.

There seemed little danger when Tremarco took control deep near his own area but the defender's back pass lacked pace and keeper Ward was caught out trying to dribble the ball past Harrad, allowing the striker to roll the ball into an empty net.

Andy Corbett's back post header was immediately saved by Ward, while Wrexham had a penalty appeal turned down when Brown went down under the challenge of Ryan Austin in the area, just one of many decisions made by referee Paul Tierney that angered the home faithful.

Captain Tom Kearney also whipped in a dangerous corner that evaded a packed area, when it just needed a touch from a Wrexham head, but the Reds did not look like making a break through.

It was Burton - helped by some wayward passing and lapses at the back -who were most creative in the final third and Harrad shot wide from the edge of the area on 31 minutes and also saw another effort miss the target.

Steve Evans's injury time header was easily gathered by keeper Kevin Poole -still to be tested - and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Kearney delivered a free-kick early in the second half that Poole did well to punch clear in a packed six yard box as Wrexham sought a way back into the game.

Little decided to make a double substitution on 55 minutes with Sam Aiston and Christian Smith replacing Baynes and Mackin respectively.

Wrexham's best opportunity of getting back on level terms came after 70 minutes.

Smith headed Kearney's free-kick across goal but Brown failed to hit the target with his close range header, with just keeper Poole to beat.

Proctor was introduced in place of Louis with 12 minutes remaining, but time was running out for the Reds and Brown played in Simon Spender who shot wide from inside the area.

Wrexham made a late rally and Proctor's effort was deflected wide for acorner, while an even better chance came in injury time.

Kearney's free-kick was headed at goal by Steve Evans but Brown headed against the bar from close range.

Time was up for Wrexham and so was the Reds' 100 per cent home record.

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.