Long wait for a win continues despite improved display

Burnley’s long wait for a win drags on despite delivering an improved performance against Wrexham.

Nicky Hayen’s side were far better than they were against Bristol City at the weekend, where they threw away a lead to lose 2-1 late on.

But their display was much better at the Racecourse Ground, showing far more balance and control, during their 1-1 draw against Phil Parkinson’s men.

That was especially the case during the first-half, where the Clarets took a 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to Zeki Amdouni’s strike, his first Burnley goal in over two years.

But Burnley lost their way a little bit in the second period, leading to Jacques Ekomie levelling for the home side.

Neither side were able to find that elusive winner, meaning Burnley’s long wait for a league win stretches to 209 days.

Despite signing on a free transfer on Sunday, Jamie Vardy was not involved due to suspension - the striker carrying over a one-match ban from Cremonese.

Hayen made three changes to the side that suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Bristol City at the weekend, as Connor Roberts, Igor Julio and Zeki Amdouni came in for Hjalmar Ekdal, Reo Hatate and Andreas Hountondji.

For Igor, it was a debut for the Brighton man following his deadline day arrival.

Jacob Bruun Larsen was left out, but Lucas Pires returned from concussion protocol to be named among the substitutes.

Jordan Beyer, Bashir Humphreys, Josh Cullen, Hannibal, Enock Agyei, Jaydon Banel, Dastan Satpayev and Ashley Barnes all remain sidelined.

Former Claret Joe Worrall remained on the bench for Wrexham, following his deadline day move to the Racecourse Ground.

It was the home side who threatened first and, given the height of their team, it was no surprise it came via a set-piece routine.

Wrexham worked it well, to their credit, but Callum Doyle could only head straight at Max Weiss from six yards out when he really should have scored.

The Clarets hit back with a good chance of their own courtesy of Welshman Connor Roberts, who did well to beat the offside trap, neatly taking the ball down before getting his effort all wrong, blazing high and wide.

With Wrexham pressing high, Burnley gifted the home side possession in and around their own box twice in quick succession, but were fortunate to get away with it on both occasions.

Kieffer Moore, who was already causing Burnley’s backline problems, was then denied by a flying save from Weiss, who did well to tip the striker’s flicked on header over the bar.

In possession, the Clarets were improved, up until the final third at least, but out of possession they remained pretty ropey.

An encouraging spell from the away side resulted in Burnley taking the lead when the bright Largie Ramazani picked out the run of Zeki Amdouni, who took a quick touch before slotting past the onrushing goalkeeper.

There was a whiff of offside with Amdouni’s run, as he hung on the last defender’s shoulder, but the linesman’s flag stayed down and the Swiss international took full advantage.

Amdouni, now full of confidence, tried his luck from further out a couple of minutes later, only to see his dipping, deflected strike tipped wide by Anthony Patterson.

Wrexham, who had barely threatened for a good 25 or 30 minutes, suddenly sparked into life five minutes before the interval, but Weiss came to Burnley’s aid again with an excellent stop.

He stood tall to deny Matty James, before Issa Kabore could only fire the rebound into the side netting, despite the Wrexham fans thinking it had gone in.

The half ended with the travelling Burnley fans voicing their appreciation as Amdouni fired over with a rising effort following a good spell of pressure.

Unsurprisingly, Burnley emerged unchanged for the start of the second half and they continued to look calm and composed in possession, while still offering a threat.

But that all changed 10 minutes into the second 45 when Wrexham drew level with a goal out of nothing.

Burnley were undone far too easily down their left, with Igor being dragged out of position, allowing Kabore the time and space to deliver a right-wing cross that Jacques Ekomie powered home with a header.

Igor was lucky to get away with a poor pass out from the back, immediately pounced upon by Wrexham but fortunately for Burnley, Callum O’Hare was only able to drag his shot wide of the far post.

Burnley needed to find a way to rediscover some sort of control, having failed to offer much since being pegged back.

But saying that, they were so unfortunate not to edge back in front when Oliver Sonne’s rebound was cleared off the line by Dom Hyam, before Amdouni could only fire over on the follow up.

Neither side showed a particular willingness to go on and win the game, which was a surprise considering the three points were there to be won.

Saying that, Amdouni almost won it for Burnley deep into stoppage time, seeing his deflected effort almost creep in at the near post.

But following Saturday’s nightmare ending against Bristol City, Hayen will perhaps just be pleased to leave with a point after an improved performance.

TEAMS

Wrexham: Patterson, Cleworth (Vyner), Hyam, Doyle, Kabore, M. James, Whiteman, Ekomie (Longman), O’Brien (Rathbone), Windass (O’Hare), K. Moore (Smith)

Subs not used: Ward, Worrall, Imray, Broadhead

Burnley: Weiss, Walker, Igor (Ekdal), Roberts, Sonne, Alleyne (Hatate), Laurent, Raghouber, Ramsey (Pires), Ramazani, Amdouni

Subs not used: Coudert, Ahmedhodzic, Clark, Castell, Broja, Hountondji

Referee: Tim Robinson

Attendance: 10,494 (1,267 Burnley)