There is something about trips to Wrexham, memories of Tony Ellis hitting a hat trick in a sensational second half comeback in September 1997 or fond memories of the year I spent in the town during my time as a degree student, it is you are always made to feel welcome although the town and people have changed somewhat since my time as a rampaging student!

Ian Holloway and Steve Thompson made the trip to North Wales to cast an eye over a reserve side that contained ten players with senior experience this season.

As the sun set behind the away stand the hosts got things underway and with the less than am minute of the clock Mark Halstead raced off his line to collect a long ball forward and the keeper who has just returned from a loan stint at Hyde misjudged the size of the area and was fortunate not have been shown the red card when he handled outside his eighteen yard box.

The resulting free saw Taboubi step up and unleash a fantastic curl effort that was expertly turned behind for a corner by Halstead.

Despite having a strong team on paper it was the hosts who edged the opening quarter hour and on thirteen minutes the Welshmen

Ormerod threaded a great ball to Stephen Dobbie who saw his first time shot parried by Russell but the Swansea front man could only direct the rebound over the bar.

With Ian Holloway in the dugout alongside Gary Parkinson, Pool upped the tempo and forced three corners, but it was Billy Clarke who forced Russell into a fine save low to his left on twenty four minutes after Stephen Dobbie had opened up the Wrexham back four with a fantastic through ball, Clarke took a touch but was denied by Russell. A minute later Clarke tested the Wrexham stopper with another snap shot from the edge of the area but once again the keeper was equal to the strike.

Stephen Dobbie forced Russell in to action again on the half this time Dobbie picked up the ball and cut in before seeing his strike turned behind whilst a mazy run from the ever willing Brett Ormerod moments later saw Billy Clarke see a finish deflect over.

Russell came to the hosts rescue again on forty one minutes when he tipped a great strike from Danny Coid behind for a corner, the again full back was picked out wide on the right by a fantastic diagonal ball from Stephen Husband, Coid took a couple of touches before unleashing a powerful strike from twenty five yards that was acrobatically turned over by the Wrexham stopper.

Half Time Wrexham 0 Blackpool 0

The Seasiders began the second half brightly and Tom Barkhuizen smashed one in the opening stages after great play from Billy Clarke.

Pool finally took the lead on 54 minutes, after Tom Barkhuizen and Billy Clarke's movement once again caused the Wrexham defence problems and they could only clear as far as STEPHEN DOBBIE who his first time strike deflected past Russell by Christian Smith.

At the other end Mark Halstead produced a fine save to deny Baynes.

The hour mark saw Rob Edwards pick up a yellow card following a late challenge on Baynes. Baynes dusted himself down and crashed the resulting free kick into the defensive wall and out for a corner.

Moments later Edwards was fortunate not have been shown a second yellow when he was adjudged to have fouled Johnny Hunt inside the area although he did appear to play the ball, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and ADRIAN CIESLEWICZ made no mistake from the resulting spot kick.

Pool made a change on sixty five minutes when trialist Alex Kite replaced Rob Edwards.

Al Bangbura forced Russell to turn over for a corner with a powerful effort from twenty five yards.

Pool made their second change of the evening with ten minutes remaining when first year scholar Liam Tomsett replaced Brett Ormerod.

Wrexham should have snatched a winner when Baynes fired over after great work from Anoruo with ten minutes remaining.

In stoppage time Wrexham snatched a winner, the Pool back four failed to deal with a long punt forward and the ball fell to the impressive WES BAYNES who smashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area giving Halstead no chance in the Pool goal.

The reserves take on Oldham on Wednesday afternoon at Bloomfield Road, kick off 2pm, it is expected Pool will run the rule over a couple of trialists and young players.

Full Time Wrexham 2 Blackpool 1

Pool: Halstead, Coid Butler, Edwards (Kite 65), Martin, Bangura, Husband, Dobbie, Barkhuizen, Clarke, Ormerod (Tomsett 80) Subs Not Used: Kettings, Roberts

Wrexham: Russell, Edwards, Hunt, Clowes, Smith, Fairhurst, McCluskey, Taboubi, Baynes, Anoruo, Cieslwewicz

Referee: P Wright