Bristol Rovers battled to a deserved share of the spoils with a 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Wrexham AFC.
The Gas survived some early pressure from the Red Dragons, with Jed Ward denying Max Cleworth and Ollie Rathbone before Taylor Moore gave the Pirates the lead with a clever header into the bottom corner.
Wrexham continued to dominate the chances after the break, with Steven Fletcher forcing another top save out of Rovers’ goalkeeper before Matty James slotted his strike in with 15 minutes left to play.
The promotion hopefuls gained all the momentum and pushed for a winner but could not find one, with the Gas gaining what could be a valuable point on the road.
Iñigo Calderón made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Exeter City last weekend, with defender Moore coming into the defence in a change of formation, with the Gas electing to play with three centre-backs. Luke Thomas also entered the side on the left, with Sil Swinkels and Grant Ward out.
The Red Dragons had the first shot of the contest. Rathbone rolled a pass across to Cleworth on the edge of the box and was given time and space to get a shot away, but his deflected effort was pushed out for a corner by Jed Ward.
The hosts controlled the early possession and forced Rovers' shot-stopper into an even better save soon after. Rathbone's dangerous corner was cleared back to his feet before the midfielder chipped a clever cross-come-shot towards the back post, with Ward stretching to palm the ball over.
Wrexham were firmly on the front foot at the STōK Cae Ras and were getting efforts away, with Cleworth the next player to test Ward with a rasping strike, but most of the Red Dragons’ shots were coming from range.
Instead, it was the Gas who were having the better-quality attacks. Kofi Shaw rushed down the right and pulled a low pass across to Butcher, who directed his swivelling shot over before the visitors gained the lead.
Moore escaped his marker to get onto Butcher’s corner and flick his header across the goal and into the bottom corner.
Wrexham are pushing for their third successive promotion and, as expected, came out at half-time with fresh energy, looking to turn the game around. Elliot Lee, an instigator of their best opportunities, swung an inviting cross towards Sam Smith, but the forward could not turn his diving header on target from close range.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson had plenty of options to pick from on his bench and decided to bring on former Premier League duo Steven Fletcher and James McClean on just past the hour mark. McClean kept searching for possession on the left whilst Fletcher won duels in the attack.
The former Sunderland striker was staying within the width of the post searching for a goal and almost found it when he got onto Ryan Longman’s cross from the right and powered a downward header on target, but Jed Ward flicked over.
Wrexham continued to put on the pressure and levelled with 15 minutes left to play. James collected Longman’s cross just inside the box and worked space for a shot, driving his effort into the bottom corner.
The hosts were causing problems with balls into the box from deep positions in the final stages, with Rovers staying strong to gain a point.
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Brunt (Dobson 75), Cleworth, O’Connell © (Scarr 46), Barnett (McLean 64), James, Lee (Marriott 85), Rathbone, Longman, Smith, Rodriguez (Fletcher 64).
Subs not used: Burton, O’Connor.
Goals: James 76
Bristol Rovers: J. Ward, Moore, Wilson ©, Sotiriou (Sinclair 84), Thomas (Mola 59), Sawyers (Hutchinson 84)), Taylor, O’Donkor (Forde 59), Butcher, Hunt, Shaw (G. Ward 71)
Subs not used: Hall, Lindsay
Goals: Moore 32
Booked: Thomas
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: 12,740 (1,267 away)
