But Saturday's battle of the Football League's bottom two sides was a golden chance for the Stags to put some daylight between them and their Welsh rivals.

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The Dragons are rooted at the bottom for a reason and that is they are poor in the extreme.

And if Mansfield could have just found that little bit extra on Saturday, three points were therefore the taking.

But the rigours of three crucial relegation six-pointers in eight days caught up with them in the first half and the big week ended without a single victory.

Mansfield even took the lead through Mickey Boulding's 20th goal of the season and Wrexham looked extremely unlikely to find a way past the visitors' excellent defence until they were gifted a needless free kick in the most dangerous of positions and then allowed a poor kick to find its way through everyone into the net.

With Notts County grabbing a late leveller at Macclesfield in the third from bottom v fourth from bottom game, it meant it was all as you were in the bottom four at the end of the day.

But game are running out and, if Stags are to save themselves, the revival must start somewhere.

On a positive note they defended well in a rough and tumble affair in an intimidating atmosphere, have gone two games without defeat, and now have a week's break to rest up before facing two home games in four days.

Arriving in Wrexham on St David's Day, Stags and their supporters were treated to a massive display of 'Welshness' which was as intimidating as it was enjoyable.

The afternoon began with a Welsh brass band playing national classics while images of famous Welsh people were flashed up on the scoreboard. And the band then delivered a rousing version of the Welsh national anthem with flags and inflatable daffodils proudly waved in the stands.

The home fans were suitably roused and in full cry in the early stages in a game they knew they really had to win. But it wasn't long before their side's ineptitude had them moaning and groaning.

It was yet another makeshift Stags side with Stephen Dawson still out ill and Matty Hamshaw playing the first half under the weather too.

The first half was simply dire, almost as bad as the full 90 minutes there last season.

John Mullins, again a tower at the back, dragged a first time shot well wide after a fourth minute Hamshaw free kick was half-cleared.

Then Boulding did well to get goalside of his marker from a Louis flick but Hamshaw could not get his near post finish on target when the ball came in.

Briggs saw an 18 yard effort blocked for the visitors as the first 15 minutes remained very even.

Stags made hard work of clearing the ball on 20 minutes and Jeff Whitley twice had efforts deflect for corners, Drewe Broughton heading the second firmly over.

Stags carved out the best move so far on 22 minutes as Gareth Jelleyman played one-twos with Will Atkinson and then Boulding before forcing the keeper to save a low shot diving to his right.

Immediately Chris Llewellyn tested Muggleton with a low shot at the other end which was safely held.

More good Mansfield pressure after a great forward burst by Atkinson saw Atkinson and Jon D'Laryea unable to get away finishes but D'Laryea was able to cue up Briggs who delayed too long when he had a great chance to shoot.

D'Laryea showed good strength to win the ball and go forward, releasing Boulding. He sent it square to Hamshaw but his low cross was behind everyone and again the moment was gone.

By now that early fervour from the crowd was rapidly diminishing.

Silvio Spann, who played an amazing number of poor passes straight to Mansfield players, was wide from 20 yards after shrugging off D'Laryea, Llewelleyn was wide from a similar distance soon after.

The home side were now enjoying their best spell of a poor half and a Spann free kick bounced through a crowded box into touch to Mansfield's relief.

The ailing Hamshaw had given his lot in the first half and made way for Arnold for the second half who also gave a good account of himself.
An aerial duel saw Mullins unable to clear and Proctor hook the ball straight at Carl Muggleton.

But Stags snatched a 53rd minute lead.

Briggs fired a hopeful shot goalwards from over 25 yards. But it was helped on by Boulding en route which wrong-footed keeper Gavin Ward and left him helpless as the ball found the net.

Almost immediately Llewelleyn fired a dipping shot at goal from 20 yards which Muggleton did well to turn over for the first of three corners.
From the last of those Mike Williams was afforded far to much space but turned the ball over the bar from 15 yards.

On 65 minutes Atkinson almost produced the much-needed second as Briggs' cross field pass found him and he cut inside before firing across Ward and wide of the far post.

A minute later Wrexham left Briggs in space just outside the box and his low shot was not too far wide.

Arnold and Boulding set up Louis for a blast over the bar as the visitors continued to pen the Dragons back.

But youngster Wood's clumsy tackle from behind on Proctor on 70 minutes gifted Wrexham a free kick 20 yards from goal in a very central position. And Proctor made them pay as he drilled the free kick home low through a crowd of legs for a goal they really didn't deserve on what had gone before.

The home fans were back in full cry now as Muggleton punched away a corner.

Stags replied with two of their own. Then Atkinson broke forward well onto a loose Hall pass but just slightly overhit his final through ball for Boulding and Ward was there first.

Buxton had to head over his own bar as a Spann free kick caused chaos in the box, Wood nodding the near post corner clear.

The a Louis flick put Boulding into the box and several half-hearted home tackles failed to rob him, but he just couldn't carve out a shooting opportunity as the opponents crowded him out, Ward catching the ensuing corner.

Stags were finishing the stronger and when a Jelleyman cross was cleared to Arnold 20 yards out he bent a shot just over the near angle.

Boulding then had a half chance from a long Briggs throw as the ball bounced invitingly and the Stags striker swung a boot at it 10 yards from goal but failed to connect.

Three minutes were added on and two poor Muggleton kicks put Stags under some undue pressure. But the Dragons could not find the late winner that would have been a huge injustice.

WREXHAM: Ward, Spender, Hope, Proctor, Llewellyn (Hall 61) M. Williams (Aiston 61), Spann, Bolland, Tremarco, Whitley, Broughton (Nicholson 71). Subs not used: A. Williams, Duffy.

STAGS: Muggleton, Mullins, Jelleyman, D'Laryea, Hamshaw (Arnold ht), M. Boulding, Buxton, Louis, Atkinson, Wood, Briggs. Subs not used: White, Brown, Martin, Holmes.

REFEREE: Paul Taylor of Hertfordshire.

ATTENDANCE: 4,865 (303 Stags).

CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: John Mullins.