Wrexham stand firm in draw at leaders Swansea City

The trip to Championship leaders Swansea City ended in a goalless draw and Phil Parkinson's men thoroughly deserved a share of the spoils.

It could have been more after the Reds were the best team in the second period.

Following a first half which lacked goalmouth action or chances, Wrexham had the better opportunities after the break.

Debutant Callum O'Hare and Max Cleworth both went close to finding the net as Wrexham picked up the pace and began to make inroads at the top end of the pitch.

Wrexham were defensively sound throughout the game as unbeaten Swansea failed to lay a glove on the visitors who were making their second long away trip in the space of four days after picking up a first league win of the season at Millwall on Wednesday.

In that 3-0 success, the Reds were a threat going forward and they asked more questions of their south Walian hosts in the second half without creating too many chances.

But if one team was going to win it, then it was Wrexham.

It was a game short of clear cut chances but Wrexham more than held their own against a team that have made a flying start to the campaign and remain top of the standings after the stalemate.

Swansea only had one real opportunity and that came late on, but the Swans never hurt the Reds throughout despite enjoying a lot of possession.

Although there was no second win in a row, Parkinson will be delighted with how solid his side were at the back.

Ahead of the away double-header, the Reds' boss slammed the defending for the soft goals conceded in the 2-1 home loss to Birmingham City, the first and only league defeat of the season.

There has been a marked improvement over the last two matches with Wrexham keeping consecutive shut-outs on the road.

You feel there is definitely a lot more to come from Wrexham in the attacking department and being tough to break down bodes well for the future.

The winner never arrived against Swansea but it was a job well done as far as Parkinson was concerned after the home side came flying out of the blocks.

"They started quick and I felt that in that period, we weren't quite where we needed to be with the ball," he said.

"We probably gave it away and then we grew into the half and started getting more control.

"But our discipline, organisation and structure kept us in the game and there were some great moments in that first period but they weren't necessarily with the ball.

"As the game went on, we got better and better and so we should because we've got good footballers but the adrenaline and the tempo of that early period maybe just caught us out a touch.

"But I thought we got better as the game went on and we looked at an experienced team with a lot of football intelligence."

Parkinson, on the back of the long midweek trip to Millwall, made the decision to utilise his squad in south Wales.

He made five changes from the side which started the win at The Den, and they were all like-for like.

The goalkeeper, back three and two holding midfielders remained the same with the changes in both wing-back positions, the two number 10 roles and in attack.

Danny Impray, Ryan Longman, Ollie Rathbone, Callum O'Hare, who was handed his debut after joining from Sheffield United on deadline day, and Sam Smith took over from Issa Kabore, Jacques Ekomie, Josh Windass, Liam O'Brien and Kieffer Moore, who were all named among the substitutes.

It shows the faith that Parkinson has in all his players that he can change a winning side and still believe his side can pick up a win despite the changes.

The strength in depth in the squad will be crucial this season if Wrexham are going to challenge for a play-off place and you can expect the manager to shuffle the pack once again for tomorrow's home game with Burnley.