Dragons pitch in for survival
By John Hall, Shropshire Star

10/12/04

Denis SmithWREXHAM aim to end a roller coaster week with three points at MK Dons tomorrow and another step towards survival in League One. Few brief periods in the club's 132-year history could match this in terms of dismay and delight, both sensations felt in turn but not in equal measure.

Plunged into administration, and with it 10 points docked by the FA, then victory over fellow strugglers Stockport County in front of the home crowd, news of a possible rescue by Surrey businessman Andrew Smith, an offer to help fund an appeal against the FA's automatic points cut, and last but by no means least, another basement battle to wrap it up in the Dragons' first ever visit to Milton Keynes.

History will look back on this short spell as the tale of two Smiths - Andrew looking to save the club off the pitch and Denis Smith working to win on it.

All that will be in the background as attention returns to action on the pitch tomorrow against another band of fellow strugglers.

Manager Denis Smith faces two forced changes in the starting line as defender Shaun Pejic and midfielder Darren Ferguson take time out after both collected fifth yellow cards on Tuesday and automatic suspension.

Scott Green, still not fully match fit, continues in midfield but there could be a reshuffle involving Mark Jones, Matt Crowell or Chris Llewellyn to cover Ferguson's enforced absence. Up front the Dragons boss has a choice between leading scorer Hector Sam, new boy Juan Ugarte and Chris Armstrong.