Wrexham's winless run at home to start life in the Championship continued after a brilliant Ben Brereton Diaz goal denied them all three points against Derby on Saturday. The Red Dragons had taken the lead in the 59th minute after Lewis O'Brien nodded home a delightful Issa Kabore cross. The former Nottingham Forest man was lucky to still be on the pitch after the referee only showed him a yellow for a reckless tackle.
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Derby created the best chance of the half in the opening 15 seconds of the game. Wrexham failed to deal with a long ball forward from goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom straight from the kick-off, as a Brereton Diaz knockdown fell to Patrick Agyemang. The striker opted to place the bouncing ball, opting for a side-footed volley when the ball was begging to be lashed home. In the end the American's tame effort lamely flew past the post of the Red Dragons' goal.
That early scare seemed to gee up the Wrexham players, almost to their detriment. Eight minutes in, Lewis O'Brien almost left his teammates in a perilous situation when he flew into a tackle on Ebou Adams. High, and not entirely in control, the midfielder was lucky to only be shown a yellow.
While Derby enjoyed the lion share of the possession, it was Wrexham that worked the keeper. Ben Sheaf's long-range effort brought a comfortable save out of Widell Zetterstrom. A few moments later, a well worked cross by Kabore brought a diving headed effort from Keiffer Moore, but Derby were able to clear. Quickly recycling the ball, Kabore's deflected cross fell to Ryan Longman on the opposite flank. His shot was likely going wide, but brought a save out of the Derby keeper on the stroke of the 18th minute.
That was the last meaningful moment of action in a meandering first half. Derby were content to sit in possession, with Wrexham's counter attacks often breaking down as key players in attack continue to get used to each other's tendencies.
Wrexham looked far more fluid in the opening moments of the second half, quickly moving the ball and fashioning crossing opportunities with ease. However, this time Kabore's final ball was routinely unable to find Jason Windass and Moore waiting in the Derby box. Shortly after, Windass took matters into his own hands dropping off his marker to pick up the ball in the number 10 position and unleashing a dipping effort that forced Zetterstrom into a diving save from 25 yards.
That brought the game to life. Another Kabore cross fizzed across the face of Derby's goal, forcing Max Johnston into a clearance. The right back tried to sweep the ball behind, but instead cannoned his clearance off his own post. Less than a minute later, Johnston had almost converted at the right end of the pitch, hooking a Carlton Morris cross towards the Wrexham net. Arthur Okwonkwo clawed his effort away, and then smartly stopped Morris' effort with a spreadeagled save after Derby kept up the pressure.
A goal was definitely coming, and it was only right that it came off the back of a Kabore cross. The wing-back from Burkina Faso delivered another beautiful ball to the near post, allowing O'Brien to steam onto the ball and not past a helpless Zetterstrom.
Chasing their first home win of the season, Wrexham continued to press for a second, but it was the Rams who would equalise in the 71st minute. Brereton Diaz latched onto an Agymenag flick-on in the inside left channel. The Chilean international deftly slipped the ball through Lewis Brunt's legs, pushed the ball out of his feet and curled a 25-yard shot past a sprawling Okwonkwo. An outstanding goal to open your account with a new club.
Phil Parkinson rung the changes in the dying embers, looking to force a result as the Red Dragons pushed for that first home win in the league this term. However, neither side could create a clear cut chance as the game petered out en route to a 1-1 draw. A fair result, but a missed opportunity for Wrexham to secure all three points.
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Kabore provided a constant outlet on Wrexham's right. Willing to take on his man, and cross from deep, the Manchester City loanee has quickly established himself as a key cog in this Wrexham side. Red Dragons fans will hope his substitution with an ankle injury was simply a precaution.
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While Wrexham have made a steady enough start to life in the Championship, dropping points from winning positions at home is a real cause for concern. Phil Parkinson will know that whatever the Red Dragons hope to achieve this season, this winless run at home simply cannot continue much longer.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham's pursuit of their first home win in the league this season will continue when they re-ignite their 'Hollywood' rivalry with Birmingham City next Friday. Before that assignment, the Red Dragons have a tricky away day, as they take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.