SPIRITED SHOW DENIES BROWN
SOUTHEND United boss Phil Brown was pleased with his side’s performance, but not the result, despite holding big spending Wrexham to a share of the spoils at Roots Hall.
Well-taken efforts from Shrimpers strikers Sam Dalby and Rhys Murphy put the hosts two goals in front.
But the Welshmen hit back with Jamie Reckord and Dior Angus both on target to leave Brown frustrated.
“I love games like that with two teams genuinely going after each other but to get just a point out of it is disappointing for us in the end,” the former Hull City boss said.
“It was a good solid team performance but to come away with just a point after being 2-0 up is disappointing to me.
“If truth be known we deserved to win the game but when you concede two goals you don’t.
“There was still lots to like about it and it was a great advert for the league.”
And Brown felt a second half injury to defender Nathan Ralph was a huge blow to the Shrimpers.
“The key moment was when Nathan Ralph had to come off,” said Brown.
“A bit of blindness came to his eye and he couldn’t see to the side of his eye.
“We had to get him off for his own health really.
“But it certainly weakened our defence and we lost the balance that we have in the team too.”
Southend broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when a fine left wing cross from Harry Phillips picked out Dalby at the far post and the striker made no mistake with a fine finish from close range.
The Shrimpers remained on top and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when a brilliant through ball from
James Dunne teed up Murphy to slot home a low, left footed shot from 12 yards.
However, within two minutes, Wrexham were back in the game as a fine right wing cross from Tyler French was bundled home by Reckord.
And the Red Dragons drew back level in the 66th minute with Angus converting another excellent cross from French.
Both sides came close to netting a winner with Jordan Davies hitting the post and Murphy firing just wide.
But Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his side.
“We showed immense quality and character to come back although we were a bit disappointed to be 2-0 down in the first place,” said Parkinson.
“Give Southend credit they made it a physical, hard game and were right up against us all over the pitch.
“But we’ve scored two good goals and we looked as though we could go and win.
“We have had some tough away games and we have come through them unscathed.”
Tyler French (Wrexham) 6,036
★★★★★