WREXHAM brought a new meaning to the term Boxing Day as fans endured a bitter clash of two teams playing in difficult conditions.

A second-half punch-up involving all of outfield players was the talking point of the game, and typified a game being played at feverpitch.

Despite having more chances and the support of 4,000 vociferous travelling fans, North End failed to score in the face of winds so severe that the corner flags were nearly uprooted.

After Bjarki Gunnlaugsson failed to slot home Graham Alexander's corner in the first minute, Ryan Kidd and Jon Macken all had chances before Wrexham got into the game.

Craig Falconbridge and Darren Ferguson started to cause problems for the Preston back four but some fine work from Tepi Moilanen prevented the ball entering the net.

Play continued to swing from end to end, and after the punch-up early the second half the tempo increased further.

Farid Diaf nearly provided the goal the game needed when he headed on Jon Macken's cross, but Mark Dearden saved in the nick of time to leave the game even until the end.

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