By Kieran O’Loughlin
Frustrated Wrexham boss Bryan Hughes admitted it was “two points dropped” against promotion rivals Barnet.
The Dragons squandered their second-half chances and had to settle for a 1-1 National League draw at the Racecourse Ground.
Hughes said: “We are disappointed with that result, it feels like two points dropped rather than one point gained.”
“In the second half you could see that they had shut up shop and were happy with a point, sadly it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Both sides went into the game on the back of draws, the Dragons fought back to claim a well-earned point away at Notts County while Barnet earned a point last weekend against a struggling Chesterfield side.
The only goals of the game came early in the first half. Wrexham opened the scoring thanks to a floated effort over the keeper’s head from JJ Hooper with the first attack of the game after two minutes.
However, the lead only lasted six minutes as the Barnet’s Dan Sparkes slotted the ball in the bottom left corner after running on to a lofted pass to the back post.
Despite numerous chances created by Hughes’s men the winning goal never came. Wrexham remain just outside the playoff in ninth.
Fan favourite Ben Tollitt has returned to the club on a short term loan deal from Blackpool and Hughes thinks that he will be important for the club.
“It’s great to have Ben back, he’s a real asset to the club going forward, with a bit more game time he’ll only get better,” added Hughes.
“We threw him on today just to see if he could create that spark that we were missing in the second half. and it nearly paid off.”
Wrexham now travel to 19th placed Hartlepool on Monday.
Hughes added: “Hartlepool are a difficult side to face, just like all teams in this league.
“Having another game in 48 hours does make me feel that I might need to change a few things around.”
Bobby Grant will be available for Monday’s game after serving his three-match suspension.
“Despite the suspensions, it’s been good to have him around the club, he really does create a good buzz around the club,” added Hughes.
“He is also a quality player in front of goal and to get him back in what is a very busy time of the year is great.”