THE game went ahead following a pitch inspection but Wrexham suffered a second defeat of the League One season after losing 1-0 at Stevenage.

There was a doubt about the fixture being staged due to heavy rainfall at The Lamex Stadium but referee Will Finnie gave the go-ahead after checking out for playing surface.

Wrexham made a lively start but they lost their way after Stevenage took a 10th minute lead.

It was tough going and Stevenage could have scored more with the home side good value for their half-time lead.

But Phil Parkinson's side were much better in the second period with their approach play causing lots of problems.

Despite the improvement, there was a lack of clear cut chances and Wrexham lost for the second time in nine games, although the Reds remain second in the table.

Parkinson made four changes from the side that started Saturday's goalless draw at Leyton Orient.

Max Cleworth, who is sidelined after damaging ankle ligaments late-on at Brisbane Road, missed his first league game of the season while Andy Cannon, Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer dropped to the bench.

Coming into the team were Dan Scarr, making his first league start for the Reds since joining from Plymouth Argyle in the summer, George Evans, Sebastian Revan and Steven Fletcher.

Scarr took over as the middle centre-back with Eoghan O'Connell switching to the right, while Evans played in the holding role with George Dobson in a more advanced midfield role along with captain James McClean, with Sebastian Revan operating at left wing-back.

Wrexham made a bright start and top scorer Jack Marriott fired over after being fed by strike partner Fletcher.

But despite the Reds continuing to look lively in the opening exchanges, Stevenage took the lead in the 10th minute.

Jamie Reid squared the ball to Louis Thompson who was allowed to get a shot away and his 25-year drive beat Arthur Okonkwo.

It was nearly 2-0 but O'Connell made a superb block to thwart Reid in the area and Dan Butler's follow-up was saved by Okonkwo.

The Reds looked edgy after going behind and just needed to settle down as they put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

They came through it and Marriott's effort was blocked by a defender but Wrexham were dealt a blow in added time when Evans went off injured and had to be replaced by Cannon.

There was still time before the break for Stevenage to make another dangerous counter-attack which ended with Eli King's effort clearing the bar.

But Wrexham came out fired-up at the start of the second half and there was a chance but Revan mis-hit his shot in the area from Ryan Barnett's superb cross

With the Reds putting Stevenage under increased pressure, Marriott's effort was blocked and the ball ran through to keeper Murphy Cooper.

It was much better from Wrexham and McClean couldn't keep his volley down while Parkinson made a triple change on 65 minutes with Lee, Mullin and Palmer on for McClean, Tom O'Connor and Fletcher as the Reds switched to a back four.

Wrexham continued to press and Barnett went in cross for Lee whose header was saved by Cooper.

But there was a lack of scoring opportunities and time got the better of Wrexham.

Stevenage (4-2-3-1): Cooper; James-Wilson, Nathan Thompson, Piergianni, Butler; Louis Thompson, King (White 74); Roberts, Phillips, Young (Kemp 60); Reid (Simpson 74). Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Freeman, Freestone, Aboh.

Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo; O'Connell, Scarr, O'Connor (Mullin 65); Barnett, Dobson, Evans (Cannon 45), McClean (Lee 65), Revan (Mendy 84); Marriott, Fletcher (Palmer 65). Subs not used: Burton, Brunt, Mendy.

Attendance: 5,704 (850 from Wrexham).