Wrexham...............2

Tranmere...............2

A LATE goal from Joe Quigley denied Tranmere a come-from-behind victory as they were held in a pulsating draw at Wrexham.

The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute with a blistering half-volley from Robbie Evans, before Rovers restored parity eight minutes later through Lois Maynard.

After the break Andy Mangan clinically converted on 52 minutes, putting Rovers in front as Gary Brabin’s men look set for a fourth consecutive victory until Quigley’s intervention in the closing stages.

Wrexham made numerous changes from the side that was humbled by rivals Chester on Saturday with Jamal Fyfield, Mark Carrington and Wes York returning for the Dragons.

In the absence of the injured Michael Ihiekwe, Martin Riley was the only change for Rovers in a side that included no fewer than three ex-Wrexham players.

Attacking the sold-out partisan away end, Tranmere raced out of the blocks forcing three successive corners, the last of which resulted in a Liam Hogan header cleared off the line by Robbie Evans.

Rovers keeper Scott Davies was then called into action, pulling off a point blank reflex save from Connor Jennings, But Wrexham took the lead when the resulting corner broke to Robbie Evans on the edge of the box, who let fly with a sweet half volley that burst the net.

Tranmere’s response was swift. In the 25th minute, Adam Dawson swung a corner in which the Wrexham rear guard failed to deal with.

The ball eventually broke for Maynard who slammed home in front of the delirious travelling support.

Matt Hill had his heart in his mouth on 34 minutes as he headed a Wrexham free kick just wide of his own goal.

Wes York then had the ball in the net for the hosts but was flagged early for an easy offside.

Tranmere took the lead in the 52nd minute when Andy Mangan continued his hot streak, turning in a Ritchie Sutton cross that squeezed past Belford.

“We are top of the league,” chanted the Rovers fans – something not heard from the Birkenhead faithful in what seems like an eternity.

Jonny Margetts then found himself clean through on goal but could not compose himself as he tried to round Belford and the danger was cleared.

Wrexham manager Gary Mills rung the changes, bringing on Kayden Jackson, Jon Nolan and Joe Quigley.

And with just eight minutes to play the moved paid off when substitute Quigley marked his home debut with an equaliser following Jennings’ cross.

In the 90th minute Marlon Jackson evaded two challenges on a breakaway before he was flattened by Javan Vidal, resulting a caution for the Dragons full back.

With tired legs in abundance, neither team could muster a dramatic winner in what was a gripping encounter played out in front of a crowd of more than 6,000.

Manager Gary Brabin said: “I suppose before the game we would probably have been happy with a point. I think on 65/70 minutes we wanted the win. We went in front.

“We felt like we needed that third. We had a couple of opportunities to possibly put the game to bed. We never did that and I just thought we invited pressure on ourselves in the last 20 minutes.

“They threw everything at us at the end and unfortunately we couldn’t hold on.

“I thought it was a really bright start from us. I thought we looked the better side. Then they’ve sort of got a foothold and gone one goal up.

“Then I think we showed good character, played some good stuff got back in the game one all and when we scored the second I thought we looked comfortable.

“Again just that little bit of quality in the final third at 2-1 – we’re probably a little bit wasteful in possession. I think we looked tired. Martin Riley hasn’t played much football of late.

“We looked a bit tired we sat a bit deep. They made a few substitutes, threw the big man up front. It caused us a few problems.

“Before the game Saturday we probably had a different mindset about how we were going to approach this game.

“Certainly a big decision not bring the skipper straigh back in, who I think has been immense for us. But I felt we had to show a bit of faith.

"We thought we’d come here on the front foot. It worked well but overall I think it was probably a fair result.”

Match Stats:

Wrexham: 2 Evans 17, Quigley 82

Tranmere Rovers: 2 Maynard 25, Mangan 52

Half time: 1-1

Star man: Jay Harris (Tranmere Rovers Midfielder)

Attendance: 6,706

Entertainment: 5/5

Ref rating: Mark Roberts (8/10)

Wrexham (4-3-3): Belford player rating 7, Vidal 7, Newton 6, Smith 6, Fyfield 6, Vose 6 (Jackson 60, 6), Jennings 7, Moke 7 (Nolan 64, 7), Carrington 6 (Quigley 62, 7), Evans 7, York 6.

Subs not used: Hudson, Fowler.

Tranmere (4-4-2): Davies player rating 8; Sutton 7, Riley 7, Hogan 7, Hill 7; Mekki 7, Maynard 7, Harris 8, Dawson 7 (Norwood 66, 6); Mangan 7 (Jackson 83, 6), Margetts 6 (Jennings 66, 6).

Subs not used: Turner, Ridehalgh