Ian Evatt hailed the Wanderers fans after a bumper crowd against Wrexham – but was frustrated his side couldn’t find a winner.

Dion Charles went closest to breaking the deadlock but was denied on a couple of occasions by Arthur Okonkwo, who produced an impressive display between the sticks.

“I thought we deserved to win it," said Evatt. "I think we were the team probing and asking questions for large spells, we had control.

“We started the game really well and probably should have gone ahead. Second half, I didn’t think we quite got to the same level and that is understandable from my perspective given the players haven’t played a lot of football.

“There was a drop off with some, Dion and Macca (John McAtee) missed large spells of pre-season so we had to get them off before they overdid it.

“But we had enough chances to win the game, their keeper has got Man of the Match. We had nearly 70 per cent possession, 11 shots and eight on target.

“Wrexham ask you a lot of questions and score a lot of goals, but I don’t think they created a great deal. We coped with the long ball and set plays really well. They did their best to disrupt second half and we probably lacked that rhythm we showed in the first.

“Credit to them, they stuck at it and really celebrated the draw so it shows where we are at. I thought their fans were excellent and gave them the energy to keep running and blocking.”

Nearly 26,000 supporters were in attendance at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, making it the biggest turnout since the Whites dropped out of the Premier League.

“It is great we had that atmosphere,” the manager continued. “Both (sets of) fans created a really good atmosphere, it was incredible at times.

“I am just disappointed we didn’t win it really, I think it is two points dropped. As I said, I think we deserved to win it.

“There was a stonewall penalty (on Ricardo Santos) at the end that wasn’t given, it gets given anywhere else on the pitch.

“There is some frustration but also a lot of positives to take. If that is a yardstick for us this season, I do think we have got another level and gear to find. Largely, I thought we were in control.”

George Johnston made his first league appearance in over a year and Evatt was pleased with the defender’s performance against tough opponents.

“We spoke in the week, this used to be a team who relentlessly kept clean sheets and had a really good defensive record," said Evatt.

“We want to get back to that and I thought George Johnston returning was excellent. Rico and Toaly managed that direct play really well.

“We coped with the set plays well because they are a threat and create a lot of chances from those types of balls into the box.

“I am pleased with the clean sheet, just slightly frustrated we haven’t scored the one goal we needed to win it.”

He added: “On another day, I would back our players to score. Second half, I would back Dion to take that chance.

“It was a big chance in the game, maybe that is a fitness or sharpness edge that will come back to him. I think largely, for a tough and tight game, we have controlled it."