Ferguson's pass to full-back McGregor led to a fine cross from the left which found Robin Gibson, one of the visitors' smaller players, unmarked near the edge of the Altrincham box. Gibson's firm looping header dropped over Stuart Coburn's head and into the net as the home 'keeper tried to scramble back to his line from no-man's land. Wrexham went on to dominate the next few minutes, with the left-foot of Darren Ferguson much in evidence and the pacy right-winger, Gibson, also prominent. From a Ferguson free-kick, awarded for a foul on Gibson, Fauconbridge headed narrowly over the bar (13 mins).

Right: Action from the match.

In contrast, a Hawes free-kick was overhit and went straight out for a goal-kick (15 mins). Following a foul by Porter on Gibson, some 35 yards from goal, Roche found Morrell, whose volleyed shot on the turn went narrowly over Coburn's bar. Farley then (21 mins) sustained an injury to his foot as he was forced into a desperate block-tackle on the Altrincham right. In a rare foray into the Wrexham half, Walker's cross was headed on by Landon but the Wrexham keeper reached the ball before the advancing Chambers (25 mins) and two minutes later Landon latched on to a deflected, looping cross from Quinn but his point blank header was blocked by Rogers (27 mins) in Altrincham's most dangerous movement of the match to date.

At the other end, Porter gave away possession and Fauconbridge curled the ball wide of Coburn's left-hand post (32 mins), at which point Phil Power came on for the injured centre-back, Farley. Richard Landon moved to centre-back for the first time in his Altrincham career as Power slotted in alongside Leroy Chambers in attack. Leroy then won a free-kick by Hawes but Wilson's follow-up shot was blocked. Chambers then won the ball twice in quick succession on the right touchline but neither of his ensuing crosses came to anything (36 mins), though this was the home side's best spell of the first half.

Coburn was kept busy by a shot from Fauconbridge (38 mins) before Phil Power won a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Landon hit the kick firmly but the wall stood firm and the ball rebounded to safety (38 mins), before running via Power to Wilson who sliced badly wide from the edge of the box. Landon was playing well at the back, winning headers and distributing the ball skilfully but Fauconbridge and Ferguson combined well to produce a good save from a diving Coburn.

Following a foul on Gibson by Porter, Coburn again came to the rescue, smothering Darren Ferguson's free-kick as the first-half came to an end. Having started poorly, Altrincham had recovered their composure during the latter stages of the first-half, but the Welshmen were still good value for their 1-0 lead.

Dave Rowen, a tall right-sided midfielder was a new trialist, whilst the other substitutes had figured previously in the pre-season matches. Wrexham remained unchanged until the 48th minute when the impressive Ferguson gave way to Gareth Owen, a change which came just after a cross from Walker led to a header from Chambers just wide of the Wrexham post.

Altrincham had a fortunate escape in the 53rd minute when Morrell turned well and was tripped but no penalty was awarded. Altrincham went through a poor patch as they repeatedly failed to clear their lines at the back, Landon's raking forty yard pass to McDiamid, on the left wing, being an exception (55 mins). However, Morrell broke forward powerfully from central midfield and passed to Fauconbridge who beat the falling O'Connor and shot for goal.

Maddox failed to clear the ball and only succeeded in helping it into his own net to double the Wrexham lead (56 mins). Wrexham continued to put together long passing movements but O'Connor did well to hold cleanly a towering cross under pressure from the marauding Fauconbridge (58 mins). Altrincham then survived a couple of goalmouth melees as they struggled to clear the ball successfully.

The visitors brought on Carlos Edwards and Adrian Moody to replace, respectively, the lively right-winger, Robin Gibson, and their captain and centre-back, Brian Carey. A rare moment of relief for Altrincham came on 65 minutes when Power was fouled and Scheuber got in a shot on Rogers which the Wrexham keeper held comfortably under his crossbar. The visitors immediately raced to the Golf Road end where a stooping header by Owen beat O'Connor but bounced to safety off the upright (65 mins).

Chambers and Walsham then combined well but the ball was cleared off Leroy's head (67 mins). However, Wrexham then extended their lead when Chalk, who had a good game, burst through the centre of midfield, before passing to Fauconbridge on the left. The number nine moved forward quickly, cutting into the penalty area before checking and curling a great goal into the net, to the left of the hapless O'Connor (70 mins) to make the lead 3-0.

After a Maddox header had conceded a corner, Fauconbridge headed wide (73 mins) before a cross from the left goal-line by McGregor gave the centre-forward another free header which he directed straight at O'Connor (74 mins). The full-back (McGregor) then produced a superb crossfield ball to Carlos Edwards on the right wing.

He cut inside and beat Porter before unleashing a shot which O'Connor was pleased to see rebound from his left-hand upright (76 mins) as Wrexham threatened to run riot. Chalk then volleyed over and was involved in several impressive passing movements by the visitors. Altrincham were hemmed into their own half and Andy Walker was almost forced into an own goal (82 mins).

The home side were unable to clear their lines for any length of time and Maddox's hoofing the ball into the neighbouring allotments underlined the pressure that the home side were under at this stage. However, Wrexham were not able to add a fourth goal and the match ended with a deflected shot by Scheuber looping to Rogers.

This game will have done little to add to Altrincham's confidence and few of the trialists on show will have made a lasting impression on Mark Ward. However, Steve Porter at full-back and Paul Walsham on the left wing had their moments but Altrincham lacked any sustained punch up front throughout the match and as the new season approaches it will be the front-line which will be of most concern to the Altrincham supporters.

In his programme notes for this match Mark Ward revealed that he would be offering contracts to seven trialists- Scott Wilson, Barry Crowe, Stuart Scheuber, Stuart Quinn, Carl Furlong, Mark O'Connor and Adam Farley- only one of whom is a forward, whilst centre-back Mark Maddox's contract will also be renewed.