WREXHAM will be attending this year's Isle of Man Football Festival after all.

Yesterday the club officially accepted an invitation to travel to the event, as exclusively revealed in Monday's Daily Post, after they were originally snubbed by the competition organisers.

The Dragons only got the go ahead to attend this year after Swansea City pulled out of the tournament due to the sacking of boss Brian Flynn.

Despite being regulars in the competition over the past 15 years - winning the trophy four times - Island tourist chiefs had deemed the Dragons' fan base too low.

They wanted sides with more travelling support to flock to the island and decided to invite new teams to the event to help boost gates.

But the organisers were forced into a U-turn over Wrexham after the Swans pulled out.

The original decision had perplexed then chief executive David Rhodes, who said: "The reason we were given was that they want to improve the standard of the competition by inviting teams from a higher level."

But this year's line up includes Port Vale, Carlisle, Bristol Rovers, an Isle of Man XI and defending champions Rushden and Diamonds, who beat Wrexham in last year's final.

The Dragons' participation in the event is a boost to boss Denis Smith as it allows new players to bed in and will improve the squad's morale.

Commercial director Bill Wingrove said: "We're delighted to accept the invitation and we're looking forward to going again this year.

"It runs from July 18 to the 25, so book your holidays now."

Meanwhile, a young Dragons second string fought out a creditable 1-1 draw at Blackpool yesterday.

Mark Duffy was the pick of the Wrexham players in the first half and he tested the Tangerines keeper early on, but former Everton trainee Keith Southern fired beyond Paul Whitfield to give the home side the lead on 21 minutes.

Duffy could have sent the Dragons in level at the interval, but it was in the second half that Wrexham finally equalised.

Mark Jones' speculative effort took a deflection to steer it past Lewis Edge in the Blackpool goal.

Reserve team manager Joey Jones said: "We played a very young side against 10 professionals, and I thought they did very well.

"The game wasn't a classic by any means.

"The lads didn't play well in the first period but Mark Duffy had a fine half."

Jones added: "In the second half we really had a go at them and in the end we deserved the draw.

"As we saw when Simon Spender made his debut last weekend, there are chances for them to progress to the first team."

* WREXHAM have reminded supporters that Saturday's match with Tranmere (kick-off noon) is all-ticket.

They can be bought from the club's ticket office from 9am-7pm today, during normal office hours tomorrow, or even on the morning of the match.