Northampton Town 0 Wrexham 0

Last updated : 13 August 2005 By Footymad Previewer
The Cobblers and the Red Dragons may well be fighting it out for the promotion places next May, but they will need to sharpen up their shooting on this evidence.

Northampton are the bookies favourites to win the League Two title, but they are still seeking their first win after three matches. They will no doubt be cheered by the return of their dangerous striker Andy Kirk, who returned as a second half substitute after injury.

Kirk had two chances to settle the issue but he fired weakly across goal with 13 minutes left and in injury time he saw his lobbed effort rebound off the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper Michael Jones helpless.

Northampton's best other chance came in the 58th minute when Josh Low struck a fierce low drive which seemed destined for the net only for Mark Jones to somehow deflect the ball to safety.
It was Jones who had Wrexham's best chances to score. He had a shot blocked in the 16th minute and four minutes later fired a volley over the crossbar from a useful position.
Just before the break, his pot shot was deflected over the bar and late in the game he blazed over after the home defence had been opened up by a Lee Roche's ball down the line to Jon Walters who in turn delivered a cross to Jones' feet.

The game was played out in wet and windy conditions more suited to mid winter and Northampton were often frustrated by the visitors offside trap and the central defence is rock solid with Dennis Lawrence who was outstanding.
Northampton's best other chances came early on when Lawrie Dudfield connected with a cross only to see Michael Ingham parry the ball to safety while another scramble saw Shaun Pejic clear his lines after an incisive cross by Eoin Jess.