PLAYER-MANAGER Andy Morrell rued the fact Wrexham only came to life in the final 20 minutes as his side’s long unbeaten league run came to an end against Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn last night.
Wrexham went into the game unbeaten in 16 Conference matches, stretching back to the end of September, but Rovers’ 48th minute goal proved to be enough despite a late Reds’ rally.
“I am obviously disappointed,” said Morrell. “I am just pleased we gave it a go but I am more disappointed that we did not give it a go from the start.
“I think there were a few tired legs out there from what has been happening the last week or so but I am just a bit disappointed that it was the last 20 minutes that we gave it a go. We pretty much threw the kitchen sink at them, it just wouldn’t fall quite right for us.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes. We will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and off we go again.”
Both sides had chances to score as the second half wore on and Wrexham could have earned a point when they were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time.
However, skipper Dean Keates, who missed a spot-kick in last week’s FA Cup defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion, saw his effort saved by former Reds’ keeper Sam Russell.
“I never think we are going to score penalties, I would like to just see it nestle in the back of the net,” added Morrell.
“Unfortunately it didn’t, the goalkeeper made a save with his foot and it wasn’t to be.
“Dean is our penalty taker when Jake Speight is not playing and he was brave enough to say ‘I’ll have it’, and I am willing to back him with that decision.
“Obviously I would rather it have gone it – but it was not to be.”