Not one for the doc! Wrexham lack Hollywood spark in Bolton battle but positives for Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Phil Parkinson to take from draw with fellow League One promotion hopefuls

The Red Dragons boast plenty of Hollywood flair, but had to show their battling side when taking in a trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium. There was little for their famous co-owners to get excited about if early morning alarms were set on the west coast of North America.

Phil Parkinson will, however, be pleased to see his side showing that they have many strings to their bow. The Welsh outfit had to dig in for long periods against fellow League One promotion hopefuls, with Arthur Okonkwo pushing a couple of early efforts around the post and over the crossbar.

A bright start to the second period saw Jack Marriott – who continues to fill in for the absent Paul Mullin – test Nathan Baxter with a low drive that needed to be parried clear, before the home side were forced to hack away a few minutes later following a goalmouth scramble.

Okonkwo was not to be beaten at the other end of the field, while Elliot Lee and James McClean fired long-range efforts narrowly over the top, and the game ultimately drifted towards a goalless draw – with both teams happy to settle for a share of the spoils.

Arthur Okonkwo has picked up where he left off last season, with the 22-year-old showing why Reynolds and McElhenney were so desperate to bring him back on a permanent basis. The former Arsenal goalkeeper was named in the League Two Team of the Year for 2023-24, and has taken another step up the EFL ladder with ease. His reflexes were put to the test at Bolton, with positive answers delivered to most of the questions that the Trotters asked of him. His presence between the sticks will be crucial to Wrexham’s cause over the course of a gruelling campaign.

While Marriott looked lively at times, strike partner Ollie Palmer struggled to get into the game. His physical presence offers a useful out ball for the Red Dragons, but he is never going to be a forward that sets an energetic tone from front. He has shown that he can take chances when they come, but will also be aware that he faces fierce competition for places in the final third – with Steven Fletcher replacing him in the second half - and needs to offer more in order to nail down a regular starting berth.

Wrexham, who are unbeaten in League One with four points to their name, will be back on home soil next weekend when playing host to Reading. They will be hoping that 105-goal talisman Mullin is available again in the not too distant future, as Parkinson looks to find greater attacking spark.