Palmer strikes for Wrexham, but they can’t find late winner
AN equaliser from Ollie Palmer extended Wrexham’s unbeaten run to 14 games, as the Reds shared the points in a draw against promotion rivals Solihull Moors.
Joe Sbarra gave the visitors the lead in the 56th minute, after converting a bobbling ball from close range. Palmer headed home just two minutes later to nod in a Ben Tozer longthrow to equalise.
Once again, Phil Parkinson named an unchanged 11 in the second-versus-fourth clash.
After a dominant start for the visitors, a Luke Young slip allowed Callum Maycock to run on goal and slip through Sbarra, but Tozer came sliding in to deflect the ball over the bar.
Then space suddenly appeared outside the Moors’ box and Paul Mullin fired well over the bar with 12 minutes on the clock. Aaron Hayden could only direct his header into the hands of goalkeeper Ryan Boot just after.
Jordan Daviesthen danced down the Solihull byline, but no-one could get on the end of his ball across the box.
Then it was Palmer’s turn to strike from the edge of the box in the 23rd minute, but a deflection took the ball straight into Boot’s hands.
It then appeared Wrexham had earned a penalty when Boot collided with Mullin, but referee Garreth Rhodes didn’t give the spot-kick, instead booking Mullin for diving.
Boot was kept busy, though, making saves from Palmer and Callum McFadzean and Mullin blazed over after Young’s miskick saw the ball land at his feet.
Wrexham were on top, despite the goalless score at the break, and they were made to rue their misses 11 minutes after the break.
The dangerous Sbarra, who scored a brace against the Reds in August, added to his tally in the 56th minute, bundling in a shot through Christian Dibble’s legs, after an initial good save from the keeper.
But the replay was almost instant, Palmer nodding in Tozer’s long-throw into the Solihull net just two minutes after going behind.
The Racecourse was again bouncing, featuring its highest crowd of the season and Mullin looked to capitalise on the atmosphere and slam a longranged effort on goal in the 59th minute, but it sailed over.
Still, Wrexham created the most chances with another Mullin effort being saved and then Tozer firing over the bar.
Wrexham have a habit of scoring late goals, but couldn’t do it this time as Hayden and substitute Liam McAlinden couldn’t find the finish.