Ben Brereton Diaz's spectacular second-half equaliser denied Wrexham a first home league win of the Championship season as Derby County battled back to earn a 1-1 draw at the Stok Cae Ras. Lewis O'Brien had headed Phil Parkinson's side in front on 59 minutes from yet another Issa Kabore cross, but the Chile international struck from distance to ensure the points were shared in north Wales.
In the first league meeting between the clubs since a 1-1 draw in the second tier in April 1982, a scrappy opening 45 minutes gave way to a far more open second half, with both goalkeepers called into action in quick succession. The result moves Wrexham to eight points from their opening seven matches and leaves Derby on six from the 21 available so far, both managers leaving encouraged by aspects of their team's display but acutely aware that opportunities were missed at either end.
Early Derby Sighter Fails to Ignite Scrappy First Half
Derby could hardly have dreamed of a better start when, with just 15 seconds on the clock, Patrick Agyemang latched on to a flick-on from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's long kick, only to drag his shot wide of Arthur Okonkwo's far post. The striker, making his first start for the Rams, had a clear sight of goal, but that early opening proved deceptive as a largely uneventful first half unfolded.