Pre-match background: Reds on a high following the superb display the previous weekend at Stoke. Unbeaten in six games, our away form especially had been very strong. Northampton, on the other hand, were fighting it out in the basement to avoid a late-season relegation scrap.

Conditions: Appalling windy and very wet night, not helped by the pitch being situated in a large crater. Rain had fallen all day, and the match only went ahead after a pitch inspection - unbeknown to most of the travelling supporters. Scary.

Selection: The returning Ward replaced the suspended Owen, partnering Brammer in central midfield; at the back, Spink and Carey held the centre, Ridler moving out to right back and McGregor switching to the left, with Hardy on the bench. Up front, the tragic Russell continued alongside Connolly - incredibly. Otherwise, as normal.

Tactics: what is the Welsh for ‘Groundhog Day’?

Ebb and flow: A few scrappy half-chances for both teams soon deteriorated into a dull, patternless match that had ‘nil-nil’ written all over it. This, to be fair, was probably due to the conditions as much as the lack of imagination shown by both sides, and the lack of footballing talent shown by Northampton, who nevertheless hung on gamely after being reduced to ten men. A large, embarrassing wet patch on halfway on the dugouts’ side ensured that wide play was mostly confined to one flank, as though the pitch had developed a list to starboard. A typical new stadium with massive gaps between the stands at the corners turned a steady breeze into a swirling cross-gale, the players slithering about in a sort of sub-Macclesfield tableau until, late in the game, Wrexham rediscovered how to cross a ball properly and how to time a run onto it.

Atmospherics: In a crowd of 4,710, a plucky effort from the few Wrexham fans; however, the stadium design did little to allow any atmosphere to develop, most of the home crowd noise being whipped away to the open sky by the wind. Famed "Sixfields roar" not in evidence.

Goals: In the 78th minute, an excellent deep cross from the right to the far post by McGregor was reached first by Whitley, who, seeming second favourite behind the Northampton defender, literally stuck his neck out to guide his header just inside the post. Five minutes later, a good hard, low cross from Connolly on the left eluded everyone except Gibson, who stretched in front of his marker to thump the ball home from ten yards out. Given what had gone before, the goals were a stunning joy.

Incident: In keeping with the rural nature of the county, there were a few agricultural tackles on the night; Howard’s disgraceful late, two-footed effort from behind on Spink rightly earnt him a red card in the 20th minute, with the second half spot of groin-stamping on Chalk escaping similar punishment. Carey probably had the best idea of the night in not coming out for the second half (apparently due to illness, Hardy being his unlucky replacement). Chant of the evening: "You’re going down to the Chester". Rumoured attendees (unconfirmed): Lawrie McMenemy (Northern Ireland scouting?) and a Newcastle mole (Brammer scouting?).

Post-match verdict: Three points, thank you very much, and nearer to safety; credit to the Wrexham players for a committed display in atrocious conditions. A disappointing game to watch, perhaps understandably so. I even began to feel sorry for the Northampton supporters - their team may be downright ugly, and they probably will be relegated, but the club set-up itself and its community involvement is fantastic, and an example to other lower-division sides (ahem).

Players: Wright - suspect?; McGregor - confident; Ridler - solid; Brammer - tireless; Spink - unshakeable; Carey - pukey; Chalk - celibate; Russell - slower; Connolly - slow; Whitley - strong; Ward - surgical; Hardy - perennial; Gibson - potent. Referee (S Mathieson) (8/10) - decisive.

Pre-match background: Tommy Wright’s home debut was destined to be a good one after our recent run of good form, but Martyn Chalk out with a very painful injury meant that little Robin Gibson was able to play. Wrexham were certainly looking for their first home victory in the league since last November.

Conditions: Freezing cold, but at least it didn’t rain that much.

Selection: Gibson in for Chalk, Edwards on the bench (should have been on the pitch from the start).

Tactics: Our 4-4-2 formation was destroyed by Chesterfield’s defence - who were certainly playing for a draw.

Ebb and flow: Could have played a little better as we mainly had possession but didn’t make the most of it. The usual ‘pass to Connolly and let him deal with it’ scenario.

Atmosphere: A crowd of 3,224 making little noise, all it needed was a goal to fire us up - but it never happened.

Goals: None, but there were plenty of chances for both teams.

Incident: The penalty was definitely deserved as Jake Edwards was undoubtedly fouled, but Brammer shouldn’t have missed.

Post-match verdict: All-round boring match.

Pre-match background: A healthy following made the trip up the M6 hoping to see if we could equal a club record of six consecutive away wins.

Conditions: A sunny day and a decent looking pitch gave confidence of a decent football match. Oh, how can I be so wrong…?

Selection: Same as Chesterfield. Can someone please tell me why? I thought we were ineffective going forward in that game. Surely changes had to be made. There were also rumours that Rush could be playing.

Tactics: Why did we continually play balls forward in the air? Everyone knows that we are a much better team when they play the ball on the ground. It was no surprise that our goal came from a passing move. What I don’t understand is that it took so long for the manager and his fleet of coaches to get that message across to the players.

Ebb and Flow: First-half was woeful by both sides and the second half was not much better either. Russell had a header cleared off the line when he should have scored. Apart from the goal and some good crosses by Gibson that was it really from us. We had some lucky escapes with Blackpool putting a free header over the bar early in the first half and McGregor clearing a lob off the line in the second. Overall, both defences were on top, the midfield cancelled each other out and the forwards were ineffective.

Atmospherics: Poor. Wrexham fans tried but what was in front of them was uninspiring. All Blackpool had to offer was a drum and a trumpet. And you all know where they can stick them!

Goals: Ours was a classic counterattack after sixty-one minutes. Brammer with a surging run from his own half released Russell on the edge of the box. His shot was well saved and it rolled kindly to Connolly to score his nineteenth of the season from six-yards. Blackpool’s came after seventy-two minutes when Ormerod sent Tommy Wright the wrong way with a controversial penalty.

Incident: Blackpool’s penalty resulted from a needless challenge by Carey. Their player made a meal of it but our marking was poor. Why did two players go to the ball leaving Ormerod open? Carey is also experienced enough to know that you don’t go to ground in those situations because a penalty is the usual outcome. Did he dive? The TV replays showed that the Blackpool player ‘fell’ over Carey's leg rather than Carey fouling him. Sometimes there given, sometimes there not. The linesman could have helped the referee but he was useless all afternoon e.g. When the ball clearly went out he didn’t flag until Gibson gave up.

Post Match Verdict: Generally, was one of disappointment. Blackpool were there for the taking. They clearly lacked confidence and after scoring our goal we should have kept the momentum going, but we seemed to be happy with a one-nil and started to defend deep. Over the ninety minutes the players didn’t look interested, probably having the Wigan game on their minds. This was somewhat surprising considering they had the opportunity to go down in Wrexham’s history with a record number of consecutive away wins. In the end the two teams were happy with a point a piece to ease their relegation worries. I’m afraid these games against mid-table opposition will be all too common with both teams having nothing to play for.

Pre-match background: This match gave Wrexham a break from the league, and the closest we’ve ever been to Wembley. With that incentive, surely we had to win, especially with our recent away form.

Conditions: Great. Nice clear night, not cold, but the pitch was a bit dodgy as it had taken a fair amount of bad weather in the previous weeks.

Selection: Wigan - Carroll, Bradshaw, Sharp, McGibbon, Balmer, Rogers, Liddell, Greenhall, Howarth, O’Niell, Barlow. Wrexham: Cartwright, McGregor, Hardy, Spink, Ridler, Carey, Gibson, Russell, Connolly, Brammer, Owen

Tactics: When first looking at the team as they lined up, seemed to look as if we were trying out a new formation, with 5 at the back, but in fact it was the usual system, with Spink playing up front in place of Edwards.

Ebb and flow: Good football was attempted by both sides, and the game was played at very high pace.

Atmospherics: Nice to see big travelling support for Wrexham, must have been over 1,000 there. Atmosphere good in first half, died a bit in the second half though.

Goals: Wigan’s first goal about 15 minutes, came from nowhere really, when a Wrexham clearance came off Howarth, straight in to the path of Sharp, whose first time shot went in on Cartwright’s near side. Cartwright really should have done better. Wigan’s second goal came from former Everton striker Barlow, after a pass from the left side, he drove the ball in to the far corner of the goal. Cartwright had no chance. McGregor also saw a good effort go wide near the end of the match with a shot from outside the box.

Incident: The first half was evenly contested, most of the play was in midfield, with few real scoring opportunities. The main threat to Wrexham was Wigan’s strike force. The always looked menacing, which is something Wrexham have lacked for a long time. The only downside of the half was Carey limping off to be replaced by Ian Rush, our Goal Machine. Carey had earlier hit a cracking shot that just went wide of the left post. Spink also missed a good chance, after good work from Connolly and Gibson. That meant Dean Spink dropping back in to defence, which coped well with what Wigan had to offer. Half Time 0-0. So far so good. Second half started the same as the first, much of the play in midfield, and at a fast pace. The only other incident that everyone was talking about was Dave Brammer’s V sign at the end of the match. 20 or so supposedly Wrexham Fans giving Brammer abuse at the end, when he was the only player to come and acknowledge the fans (as he always does), personally I don’t blame him for what he did.

Post-match verdict: Hate to be pessimistic, but no chance of making Wembley now. 2 goals to pull back at the Racecourse will be virtually impossible, seeing our current form there. Wrexham’s performance was quite good, and two goals may have been a bit harsh, but with Wigan having the money to pay for quality strikers like that, they’ll always score goals.

Pre-match background: After a disappointing defeat at Wigan in the AWS in midweek, the Robins were looking to bounce back against a struggling Burnley side who's recent results included a 5-0 & 6-0 home reverse against Gillingham and Manchester City respectively.

Conditions: Cold, dry & cloudy.

Selection: With Jeff Whitley returning to Man City, Gareth Owen was able to continue in midfield. Tommy Wright returned for Mark Cartwright, while Kevin Russell took over the captain’s armband from the injured Carey.

Tactics: The usual formation pushing Martyn Chalk wide right and playing with a three man central midfield. Gareth Owen was given a left-sided midfield role, while Russell returned to midfield allowing Jake Edwards to lead the attack alongside Connolly.

Ebb and flow: A dull game. The match never really got going. Burnley set their stall out well, playing with three central defenders and restricting Wrexham to long range shots for much of the game. Both sides seemed to lack any real passion or commitment.

Atmospherics: A decent crowd compared to most this season. Burnley brought their good following. Both sets of supporters seemed to find it difficult to motivate their sides mainly due to the drab encounter they were watching. The end result was a very sombre atmosphere similar to the game.

Goals: David Brammer scored an absolute peach!! Mark McGregor's initial shot was blocked, it fell straight to Brammer who was about 25-30 yards out. He looked up and BANG!! An absolute screamer of a shot was unleashed which had enough power in it to elevate the goal support from the ground. Micky Mellon got the equaliser for Burnley. The ball was played into the Wrexham penalty area where a static defence allowed the ex-Blackpool midfielder time and space to volley wide of the despairing Tommy Wright from six yards out.

Incident: Rockin' Robin got married to long time sweetheart Tina 'Simply the Breast' Turpit at half time. I would like to add more, but apart from Brammer's rocket and the aforementioned wedding there was little else.

Post-match verdict: Another 'bore draw' at the Racecourse. We desperately lack any real cutting edge going forward. Chalk was anonymous for much of the game. Russell who is supposed to be our creator from the midfield had another very disappointing game. Rooster has been an excellent servant to
the club in both his first and second spells, but now he looks a pale imitation of his former self. He got in the way of more passes than he made whilst his tackling left a lot to be desired. I left the game feeling down, depressed and with one question in mind which has been there for some time. Does the club really want to go forward and progress? Just look at our lack of activity in the transfer market. Who have we signed permanently in the past two seasons? Dean Spink and Ian Rush. The latter has been a massive disappointment on the pitch whilst Spink in fairness has established himself as a decent centre half. The Carl Griffiths saga epitomises the apparent lack of ambition within the club perfectly. The man scores four goals in five games returns to his club and continues to stick the ball in the net. He has publicly announced he wants to sign for the club but yet he doesn't. Why? Reportedly Wrexham refused to pay the £100,000 asking price, offering a mere £80,000. Leyton Orient refused
(and rightly so) to budge on their valuation. Surely we could have found an extra £20,000 from somewhere.

Pre-match background: Wrexham had to left themselves with a mountain to climb. Our inabililty to win at home was a major headache and we had to win 3-0 against one of the form sides in the division. This was a game Wrexham players had to stand up and be counted. This could be the game for our players to make themselves heros.

Conditons: Windy, cold

Selection: Due to being cup-tied Wright was replaced by Cartwright, Elliott came in, Ridler was selected with Spink left on the bench. Wigan, a side full of ex-Premership players and internationals with former Cardiff City man Haworth leading the line.

Tactics: On the radio coming down I heard Flynn say we need to Attack Attack Attack. All we could do was wait and see.

Ebb and flow: For the neutral the game was end to end, plenty of goalscoring chances, an inept ref (who obviously was so poor even Wigan's local radio Piccadilly 1152 said he favoured them). Early goal in each half killed any chance Wrexham had of salvaging the game. I suppose the main thing was we played with a passion not seen at home for a liitle while.

Goals: Howarth’s double, one a good strike in the 2nd minute (however, being truthful, I thought Cartwright was at fault for the first and obvously the second) and their third a dubious attack in which Wrexham claimed offside but not given. Our two goals were alright with Brammer’s being the goal of the game, good turn and shot.

Incident: Take your pick, the game was packed with them, Cartwright being involved in about four on his own). The sending off, the time wasting, the goals, the back pass which Cartwright picked up(doh). Gibson’s short appearance until a rash challange by Bradshaw ended his season. The penalty
appeal, I could go on.

Post-match verdict: I live in Manchester and had to travel home the same way the 1300 or so Wigan fans travelled so my pain did not finish at the final whistle. I could not understand why some morons sang sack the board, please tell me why? On the way home I felt for Cartwright. It is easy to blame one person especially a goalkeeper and his confidence is at an all time low, just remember Man City away, Luton away. He is still learning his trade and may never become a 2nd Dai Davies/Andy Marriott. We were unluckily beaten in this and deserved at least a draw. But overall hand on my heart Wigan deserved to go through. Elliott looked good, workmanlike definitely one for the future, and if we play like that with a confident keeper then we will win at home sometime soon.

Pre-match background: A 70-odd page special Wembley edition of the match programme celebrating Millwall’s AWS final appearance reminds us what might have been. Constant chants of "We’re going to Wembley, you’re not" from the home fans don’t help either.

Conditions: Sunny, warm.

Selection: A flurry of activity on transfer deadline day means that Brammer is replaced by Stuart Elliott. Andy Morrell gets a start up front. Jake Edwards’s appearance on the bench quashes rumours that Flynnie’s totally lost the plot and sent him on loan to Blackpool. New signing Paul Barrett is also a sub.

Atmospherics: The 12 noon kick-off means a smallish Wrexham following. There’s not much for them to shout about.

Tactics: Elliott plays a holding role in front of the back four. Otherwise same old same old.

Ebb and flow: The early goal for Millwall probably won the game for them. Wrexham had a good spell early in the second half but could never up the tempo enough to make any difference to the result. Millwall took their chances; we didn’t. Sound familiar?

Goals: 10 minutes: Grant latches on to a loose ball in the area and lashes in a good shot; 79 minutes: Harris is allowed to control, turn and shoot. Wright gets a touch but can’t keep it out; 89 minutes: Harris beats the offside trap, Tommy hares out of his area and, with shades of Andy Marriott at his most terrifying (lest we forget), misses the ball. Ridler gets back but can’t keep the shot out.

Incident: Morrell had a good game generally but didn’t really make the best of the chances on goal which came his way. After Connolly went off injured we never threatened.

Post-match verdict: With both teams functioning on about 75% power but with Millwall sharper in front of goal, there was a strange inevitability about the outcome.