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It’s hard to imagine anything more humiliating than losing 3-0 to local rivals who have failed to win in their last 15 games.

Wrexham though, managed to provide the struggling Shrews with a confidence-boosting result that has seen them safe for this season. We have some great memories from their old ground, Gay Meadow, late winners from Lee Jones and Mike Proctor for differing reasons. Our first memory of the New Meadow was this shocker, and given were we’re heading next season it may be a long time before we can return to avenge it.

Changes were again made to the starting line-up most notably a welcome return for Simon Spender following his injury, and the absence of Chris Llewellyn with Mike Proctor at long last being given a chance.

The continued presence of Richard Hope, a former Shrews favourite, has long been an issue for many Wrexham fans. He did himself no favours as both he and Gavin Ward were at fault for the opening goal. Colin Murdock’s free-kick, taken illegally (the ball wasn’t stationery) was met by the head of Kevin McIntyre who’d been left by Hope to beat the stranded Ward.

The goal came after only seven minutes and was followed by a further 20 of Shrewsbury domination as our defence crumbled. We were our own worst enemies again as we feared to clear properly, and failed to create anything worthy going forward.

Just before half-time we showed signs of life as Marc Williams took a shot at goal, Proctor headed wide and Williams again forced their goalkeeper to save after some nice work.

We started well in the second-half and Phil Bolland showed some fighting spirit, soldiering on despite an ankle injury. Hopes of a comeback were dashed with half an hour to go though when a cross to our back post was headed home Darren Moss.

Predictable there was no way back despite Murdock having to clear off the line at one stage. Struggling to deal with Shrews sub Constable, Bolland brought him down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.

Dave Hibbert stepped up only to see it saved by Ward. This should have been the cue for a clearance by someone in the Wrexham defence, but Hibbert and Constable practically had time to fight over who should poke home before Constable did.

Ironically we followed up that comedy of errors with a string of decent opportunities at the other end. Substitute Paul Hall created a good chance which unfortunately fell to Drewe Broughton. Needless to say his effort was saved. Roberts saw his attempt from the rebound stopped and eventually Hall was given the opportunity to cross again only for it to be met by a poor header from big Drewe.

We could have conceded more goals in a match that summed up our season. We could have our relegation to non-league’s Blue Square Premier division mathematically sealed at home to Notts County next week. Brian Little’s reward for his failure in recent months has been a new long-term deal.

The club has made a massive commitment to a manager whose approach to key games has been questionable, team selections inconsistent, faith in certain players misplaced, and most importantly results and performances unacceptable. Given the opportunity to bring in his own players in January, having failed to motivate those already here, he’s failed to improve on the job done by Brian Carey – which many fans claimed was impossible!

It was not impossible for Brian Little to keep Wrexham FC in the Football League this season. He has much to prove over the next two years, starting with how he approaches the re-building job this summer.

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