Wrexham's Matty JamesImage source, Getty Images
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Matty James joined Wrexham last October having been released by Bristol City last year

Wrexham dropped out of the League One automatic promotion places despite coming from behind to earn a point against relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras.

Jed Ward produced fine saves to deny Max Cleworth and Ollie Rathbone as Wrexham carried the greater threat from the outset.

Elliot Lee and Ryan Longman then missed the target for the hosts as Iñigo Calderón's side sought to find a foothold in the contest.

But the visitors - who had the worst away record in the division before kick-off - took the lead just after the half-hour mark as Taylor Moore headed Matt Butcher's corner beyond Arthur Okonkwo to notch up his first goal for the club.

The Gas took confidence from their opener, with Moore heading wide from a Kofi Shaw cross as the away side led at the break.

Watched by Hollywood co-owner Rob McElhenney, Phil Parkinson's men needed an improvement on what turned into a potentially damaging afternoon in their quest to join Birmingham City in gaining automatic promotion to the Championship.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenneyImage source, PA Media
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Wrexham kept clean sheets in eight of their 10 league games prior to facing Bristol Rovers

Striker Sam Smith headed wide five minutes after the restart before substitute Steven Fletcher had a header tipped over the crossbar as Wrexham's six-game unbeaten run came under threat.

But they levelled proceedings in the 76th minute as Longman's cross eventually landed at the feet of Matty James, who coolly slotted beyond Ward to set up a tense finale.

But Wrexham were unable to find a winner as they slipped to third, one point behind Wycombe Wanderers who are second after beating Bolton Wanderers going into the final three games of the season.

After ending their six-match losing streak, Bristol Rovers stay 21st but move level on points with 20th-placed Burton Albion who have a game in hand.

Post-match reaction

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said:

"I thought first 30 minutes we were OK, we had decent control without producing in the final third. The goal, all goals from set plays are soft, and that one was from our point of view.

"After that, there weren't enough players to grab hold of the game and be the man to inspire us back into it and I just felt we went into our shells a little bit as a team.

"The second half was better, we got back into it but still we didn't feel we produced anywhere near enough quality today to go and win the game. Obviously it's disappointing to only take a point."

Bristol Rovers boss Iñigo Calderón told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I'm really happy. We were coming from a really bad run, too many defeats in a row.

"I think it was a great performance. I'm obviously disappointed because we were 1-0 up and you want to get the three points.

"I think overall you can see that this team is alive, that's a big thing at this stage of the season."

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Calderon: "A lot of positive things..."