WREXHAM manager Brian Flynn put a brave face on Tuesday's 3-2 reverse at Chesterfield after watching his patched up side endure a battering for much of the game.

Late goals from Steve Roberts - the first league goal of his career - and an equalising free-kick from Darren Ferguson looked to have dug the Dragons out of a hole, but when Martyn Chalk was sent off for the second time this season the home side conjured up a winner from Rob Edwards deep into added time.

"When they went 2-0 up I thought our response was superb," said Flynn. "We showed a lot of grit and determination and that's how Steve's goal came about. He chased a lost cause, won an important tackle and finished it off well."

Chalk, who replaced Steve Thomas after an hour, was given his marching orders by referee Phil Richards after collecting two cautions, and the Dragons boss sympathised with the midfielder.

"Unfortunately for us, they made the sending-off count. It was a mistimed tackle from him and his first booking was only for trying to retrieve the ball and take a quick free-kick," he said.

Flynn brushed aside the view that Chesterfield dominated the game for long spells, adding: "It was scrappy and they caught us with an early goal, while their second was a wonderful effort. From that point when they scored

I thought we raised our game. When you force your way back as we did, you feel as if you deserve anything out of the game."

With Dave Warren injured and Shaun Holmes missing because of illness, Flynn used three central defenders flanked by new loan signing, Willie Miller, and Michael Blackwood - a tactic which had limited success.

"We had no other option," he said. "Michael's not a natural left-back so we used the three centre-halves to see if we could bolster it a bit.

"Obviously it didn't give us a lot of width but after they scored and in the latter part of the first half I thought we were coming back into it and gaining a measure of control. We had or two nearly opportunities without really testing their goalkeeper."

Asked whether his side had been affected by the news he is to leave the Racecourse at the end of the season, Flynn said: "The approach of the players was spot on - very professional."

Miller, in his first experience of English football since arriving from Dundee for three months, said: "We got ourselves right back into the game but then threw it away at the end.

"We showed some character in the second half, started to get our tackles in and began to put them under some pressure. The goals gave everyone a lift and we even looked like we may have been able to go on and win it."

He added: "This was my first game in a while at this level and the pace of it took a little getting used to, but I thought I settled in OK. Now I hope I can go from strength to strength."