Aldershot v Wrexham (white shirts).

Dragons Face Boxing Day Crunch V Salford At Home

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Will Mannion, a 20-year-old goalkeeper on loan from Hull City, was the ’Shots star in a goalless draw against Wrexham at the EEB Stadium in Hampshire.

Aldershot stopper Mannion made a series of outstanding saves, particularly in the second half when the visitors put them under pressure.

The Dragons were bitterly disappointed to come out with one point, but any damage was limited by defeats for promotion rivals Salford City, Harrogate and Solihull.

Manager Graham Barrow and his players know they now have three crucial fixtures coming up – back-to-back home fixtures against Salford on Boxing Day and Solihull Moors next Saturday.

The teams run out for the second half.

Wrexham then travel to Salford on New Year’s Day.

“I can’t hide the fact that we’re a little bit frustrated,” said Barrow. “Their keeper made some good saves, but I don’t think we got into our stride early enough.

“The back end of the first half we got better and I can’t fault the effort during the second half.

“There are no real complaints. Another point on the road and another point gained.”

Aldershot’s squad has been decimated by injuries, while Wrexham were without Manny Smith, Rekeil Pyke, Kevin Roberts, Doug Tharme and Luke Young served the second of his three-match ban.

The Dragons moved up to third place and are perfectly placed to fire up their promotion challenge in those next three fixtures against rivals.

James Jennings had Wrexham’s best chance of the first half with his shot deflected over the bar.

Aldershot battled, while Wrexham, cheered on by more than 200 travelling fans, probed and pressed in search of the goal they needed.

The visitors started the second half well and Wright’s low shot from distance had Mannion happy to get his body behind the ball. 

On the hour Bobby Grant flicked the ball back to Beavon, whose angled shot was blocked by the legs of the home keeper.

Then Jennings put in a cross from deep on the left and while Beavon’s goal bound header was from 18 yards, it still had some power behind it.

Jennings was at it again moments later, as his high cross in was met by the head of Wright, who from six yards forced a great save from Mannion.

Wrexham dominated possession, but they were unable to find the goal they needed.

Now they turn to a massive home fixture against Salford City at the Racecourse on Boxing Day.

Aldershot Town: Mannion, Kinsella, McDonnell, Osborne (Lelan 76), McClure (R Grant 79), Wanadio, Gallagher, Booty, McCoy, McDonagh, Finney. Subs not used: Cole, Bernard, Bozier.

Wrexham: Lainton, Carrington, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings, Summerfield, Wright, Walker, Rutherford (Deverdics 90+2), Beavon (Holroyd 66), B Grant. Subs not used: Dibble, Maguire-Drew, Fondop.

Referee: Richard Hulme (Somerset)

Attendance: 1,637 (away 229)

As It Stands

Team P GD Pts
1 Leyton Orient 25 32 53
2 Salford 25 25 49
3 Wrexham 24 16 47
4 Harrogate 25 18 46
5 Fylde 25 22 45
6 Solihull Moors 24 12 44
7 Gateshead 24 10 42
8 Sutton United 24 5 40
9 Eastleigh 25 0 39
10 Ebbsfleet 25 3 34
11 Barrow 25 -1 34
12 Boreham Wood 25 -1 33
13 Hartlepool 25 -6 32
14 Barnet 22 -2 31
15 Dag & Red 25 -3 31
16 Halifax 24 -6 27
17 Bromley 24 -7 27
18 Aldershot 25 -19 26
19 Havant & Waterlooville 25 -9 25
20 Chesterfield 24 -6 23
21 Dover 25 -20 21
22 Maidenhead United 24 -23 21
23 Maidstone United 24 -17 19
24 Braintree 25 -23 15

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