Wrexham play-off hopes hit by defeat

EBBSFLEET.......................3 WREXHAM.......................0

WREXHAM’S National League play-off hopes hang in the balance after a damaging defeat to promotion rivals Ebbsfleet United.

The Dragons needed a victory to keep their promotion push on track but defeat means their fate is now out of their hands with Wrexham down to seventh and Dover just two points behind with a game in hand. Fleet are not out of the race either as they trail Wrexham by five points with two games in hand.

Wrexham had the better of the opening exchanges with Marcus Kelly and Manny Smith combining to great effect. Smith headed a Kelly free kick onto the crossbar on nine minutes before heading over from another superb delivery shortly after.

The early pressure from the Dragons nearly resulted in a goal after an Ebbsfleet defender diverted the ball into his own net but the referee penalised Smith for a push in the box.

As the half wore on, the hosts grew into the game but found Chris Dunn in inspired form.

Corey Whitely hit a shot straight at Dunn after a smart turn before the shot-stopper drew great applause from the visiting fans with a fantastic save to deny Luke Coulson from six yards.

The 30-year-old was certainly the busier goalkeeper as half time approached but he was left exposed as Harry Kedwell was put clean through, however, Wrexham survived as the attacker failed to find the target.

But the goalkeeper couldn’t keep Fleet out for long after the break. After Coulson was just caught offside, the hosts continued to pile on the pressure and Whitely fired them ahead, beating Dunn at the near post.

The visitors were struggling to make the most of their possession so interim manager Andy Davies brought on Jack Mackreth to try and add some creativity.

It almost proved to be an inspired substitution as the midfielder slotted home from a Simon Ainge flick-on but the linesman denied him the equaliser.

And the hosts went up the other end to seal the three points, and dent Wrexham’s promotion hopes, with a late strikes from Kedwell and Coulson. Wrexham: C Dunn; J Jennings, M Smith, S Pearson, D Raven; N Deverdics, M Kelly, P Rutherford (J Mackreth 68), A Wright (S Boden 82); S Ainge, S Quigley.

Subs not used: C Dibble, M Carrington, J Franks.

Attendance:

1,376.