Wrexham 1-1 Preston North End

Last updated : 21 July 2009 By Paul Neat

A Richard Chaplow header was enough for Preston North End to continue their unbeaten pre-season record but they had to work for it.

During the first-half Alan Irvine’s side looked a little flat and without imagination. Most of Wrexham’s play seemed to come from down their right after youngster Barton allowed the Wrexham right-winger too much space in behind, despite a positive start.

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver played his first game as part of his trial and up until when Wrexham took the lead at least, he didn’t have much to do in the opening exchanges.

Nicky Weaver

It was Wrexham fans favourite and former Leeds United defender Mansour Assoumani who put the Dragons in front after getting on the end of a Silvio Spann corner at the near post.  There wasn’t a lot that Weaver could do after the Frenchman broke free of his marker.

Weaver made a few good saves after the goal including tipping a low-driven shot round the post that was destined for his bottom corner. Thus, the score stayed 1-1 at half-time where North End made a few changes, which included changing their goalkeeper.

Lonergan replaced Weaver whilst Parkin and Brown replaced the ineffective Mellor and Hawley whilst Barton made way for Wallace.

Richard Chaplow

North End were much improved in the second-half and looked more meaningful on the ball. Richard Chaplow was instrumental again and even managed to get himself on the score sheet in the process. The former Burnley man equalised after heading home a Chris Sedgwick cross at the near post.

Teams:

Wrexham: Maxwell, Spann, Williamson, Assoumani, Mike Williams, Jones, Fleming, Taboubi, Taylor, Cieslewicz, Marc Williams. Subs: Leach, Edwards (For Williamson, 63), Anoruo (For Wolfenden, 84), McCluskey, Fairhurst  (For Taboubi, 45), Smith, Baynes (For Cieslewicz, 88), Wolfenden (For Marc Willians, 10) Medinilla-Cabottis

Preston North End: Weaver, Hart, Davidson, Trotman, Nolan, Sedgwick, Jones, Carter, Barton, Hawley, Mellor. Subs: Lonergan, Brown (For Mellor, 45), Chaplow (For Trotman, 45), Wallace (For Barton, 45), Smyth, Collins, Quirk, Parkin (For Brown, 45).

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