The Seasiders unbeaten start to the Pontins League season came to an end at Wrexham Wednesday afternoon, with Pool disappointingly going down 1-0 at the Racecourse.

Pool who included first team hopefuls Sasa Ilic, Gareth Evans, Phil Doughty, Simon Wiles and Jamie Burns along with transfer listed Richie Wellens found life tough against a bright and lively Wrexham side who won the majority of second balls, something coach Simon Grayson acknowledged constantly from the touchline, the veteran defender constantly barking reminders to his team about the importance of second ball and sticking with runners

The hosts began proceedings at a sun drenched Racecourse ground attacking the old Kop stand and after just sixty seconds the Welshmen had a corner after Sean Lawlor under no pressure headed behind, a minute later Mark Jones fired straight at Sasa Ilic as the hosts enjoyed the majority of the early pressure. Andrew Mangan fired straight at Baker in the Wrexham goal on four minutes following neat work from Richie Wellens and Simon Wiles, but it was Wrexham's Griff Jones who should have opened the scoring on 8 minutes, Pool failed to deal with a right wing cross from Kieran Quinn, the ball fell to Jones unmarked ten yards out but the trialist fired high and wide. That chance seemed to waken the Seasiders, Simon Wiles pin point cross to Andrew Mangan, saw the young striker snatch his shot whilst Richie Wellens fired wide on 13 minutes.

Three minutes later Pool were denied three times in quick succession with some brave goalkeeping from Matt Baker, Baker parried a Danny Whittaker shot before blocking strikes from Jamie Burns and Andrew Mangan.

Both sides continued to press for an opener with Andrew Mangan and Jamie Burns both firing over before the break for Pool whilst Levi Mackin and Mark Jones came close for the home side.
Half Time Wrexham 0 Blackpool 0

Wrexham came out of the traps quicker once again and thirty seconds after the re-start Matty Shaw was unlucky to see his far post header rebound back off the cross bar with Ilic beaten.

Gareth Evans surging run on 51 minutes almost provided the opener, Evans skipped past three challenges before releasing Jamie Burns who saw his first time shot deflected behind for a corner.

The deadlock was finally broken on 55 minutes, a long ball over the top saw Ilic race out to force Jones wide, with the young striker seemingly away from danger, he somehow managed to fire a shot through the crowd and beyond Ilic. Wrexham should have added a second two minutes later a fine piece of skill from Griff Jones released Shaw, who saw his first time shot well saved by Ilic.

Reserve Team coach Simon Grayson made his first substitution of the afternoon just after the hour, replacing the ineffective Andrew Mangan with first year scholar Jonathan Goulding, the change saw Dean Gorre switch to a centre forward role with Goulding joining Wellens in the midfield.

Four minutes later Pool made a second change with Matthew Lawlor replacing older brother Sean.

Despite the changes it was Wrexham who enjoyed the majority of possession, Griff Jones, Matty Shaw and Mark Jones all dangerous on the break.

Pool's final substitution saw Simon Wiles replaced by James Foran with just over quarter of an hour remaining.

Pool: Ilic, S Lawlor (M Lawlor 65), Parle, Doughty, Evans, Wiles (Foran 74), Burns, Wellens, Gorre, Mangan (Goulding 61), Whittaker. Subs Not Used: Edge, Clancy