Sir Alex Heads Legends List At Dragons Against Salford

Phil Neville stoked up the atmosphere at Salford City by announcing he was going to print out tweets by gloating Wrexham fans – and pin them on the home dressing room wall.

He did that before City’s return Vanarama National League clash at Salford City.

The Dragons won 5-1 at home against City on Boxing Day and supporters made their delight clear on social media.

Graham Barrow, Wrexham’s manager, made it clear he was far from impressed, saying: “I would be a bit disappointed if I was the manager and Phil Neville was doing that, if I am being honest.

“Let the manager do his job. Those names don’t need to be involved in what Graham (Alexander) is doing.”

Former Manchester United and England player Neville is a part owner of Salford and was joined at the New Year’s Day game by other Reds Devils’ legends including Sir Alex Ferguson, Denis Law and Ryan Giggs.

The match went Salford’s way with former Cardiff City and Newport striker Matt Green netting first with Rory Gaffney adding the second in a 2-0 win.

More than 4,000 spectators were at Salford’s ground for the crunch clash, almost 1,500 supporting Dragons and their number included Wrexham-born Robbie Savage.

Captain Shaun Pearson and his Wrexham team earned six points from a possible nine in three Festive Period matches and manager Barrow said: “The disappointing thing is that it should have been seven.

“I wouldn’t say we threw the game away at Salford, but we shouldn’t have lost.

“We didn’t expect Salford, one of the promotion favourites and playing at home, to play in their own half for 90 per cent of the match.”

The clean sheet – City’s 10th of the season – was massive for Salford, had suffered four successive defeats – one of those at the Racecourse – before facing Wrexham.

“There were desperate to win, it was almost win at all costs,” said Dragons manager Barrow. “Certainly it was a ‘must not be beaten’ mindset.

“They were attacking and open at our home game, while this was the other extreme. It did surprise me a little.

“Not the system they played, but how negative it was.”

Wrexham now play Dover Athletic at home on Saturday (3pm) before travelling to take on Bromley away next Tuesday.

Barrow’s boys remain second, one point ahead Salford and four behind leaders Leyton Orient with a game in hand.

“We’ve taken a few punches over the last few weeks, but you have to get up and be ready to take another one,” said Salford manager Alexander.

“We threw a few of our own this time. The players were absolutely immense.”

Green found the target after 22 minutes to give Salford the lead and Gaffney virtually ended any Wrexham revival hopes with their second on the hour.

Salford City: Neal, Wiseman, Touray, Hogan, Pond, Piergianni, Nolan, Whitehead, Gaffney (Dieseruvwe 85), Green (Brockbank 85), T Walker.

Subs: Crocombe, Brockbank, Lloyd, Dieseruvwe, Rooney.

Wrexham: Lainton, Carrington (Roberts 67), Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings, Summerfield, Wright (Young 57), B Walker, Rutherford, Beavon (Tollitt 46), B Grant.

Subs: Dibble, Holroyd.

Referee: Andrew Miller (Co Durham)

Attendance: 4,044 (away 1,400)

Leo Smith has returned to Wrexham from his loan spell at Llandudno. He completed the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 Welsh Premier League draw against Caernarfon Town on New Year’s Day and his loan spell ended after that game.