Shropshire Star

Wrexham title hopes dashed

Any hopes Wrexham had of clinching automatic promotion from the National League are now all but gone after a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Hartlepool on Saturday.

Published

The Dragons made a bright start to the game at Victoria Park, but things quickly came undone when captain Shaun Pearson brought down Josh Hawkes inside the area after 25 minutes. Hawkes stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, which narrowly beat Rob Lainton.

The visitors continued to press and had chances to get back into the game.

Akil Wright went agonisingly close to levelling the score when his header was cleared off the line and Kieran Kennedy pounced on the loose ball, only to be denied by keeper Scott Loach.

In the end, Wrexham were unable to break Hartlepool down and suffered a third defeat in four games and remain a point behind leaders Leyton Orient after their third defeat in four games. But FA Trophy finalists Orient now have three games in hand over the Dragons.