Portsmouth 0-0 Wrexham: Pompey and Red Dragons play out goalless draw

Only Josef Bursik, Regan Poole, Bowat and Andre Dozzell retained their places in the Portsmouth starting line-up as John Mousinho made seven changes from his side’s 4-0 loss to Birmingham City.

Wrexham were unchanged from their 3-2 triumph over league leaders Coventry City – although it was the hosts who had the better start.

After Murphy fired at Arthur Okonkwo from a narrow angle, the winger blazed well over from a free-kick.

But the visitors grew in confidence in attack, with O’Brien stinging the palms of goalkeeper Bursik.

From the resulting corner, O’Brien almost turned provider as he crossed for Moore, although Bursik did brilliantly to claw away the striker’s goalbound header.

The hosts were dealt a blow as Connor Ogilvie was forced off through injury before the half hour mark, although they came within a whisker of going ahead minutes later as Murphy’s low drilled effort flew just wide.

Ben Sheaf dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box before Poole and Conor Chaplin had efforts at the other end as a lively opening half ended goalless.

Okonkwo got down well to tip away Murphy’s fierce hit before palming away Bowat’s header from the resulting corner as the home side started the second half strongly.

But Wrexham almost went ahead against the run of play as Josh Windass took a quick free-kick, with Liberato Cacace sending O’Brien through on goal, although the midfielder was well denied by Bursik.

Dan Scarr flung out his right leg to clear a Chaplin shot as the contest remained finely poised on the south coast of England, although Portsmouth and Wrexham kept their fifth and third league clean sheets of the season respectively as the points were shared.