THE future of Wrexham managing director David Rhodes was still unresolved last night.

Driven to the brink by an illness brought on through the strain of trying to balance the Racecourse books, Rhodes came close to quitting his job a fortnight ago.

But he was in charge of arrangements for Saturday's home game against Grismby Town, even though it was apparent by then he no longer enjoyed the confidence of club chairman Mark Guterman.

Saturday's Daily Post revealed that former Lincoln City owner John Reames was set to take on an advisory role at Wrexham, putting a question mark against Rhodes' future.

Guterman and Reames spent much of yesterday at the club, but Rhodes, who had been expected back at his desk following a couple of days' rest, was conspicuous by his absence.

Last night Guterman, who has steadfastly refused to comment on rumours that Rhodes will be sacked, said he had not heard from the man who has been in charge of running the club for nearly 20 years.

Rhodes is no stranger to financial crises at Wrexham, moving from the boardroom to take on the role of running the club following the departure of secretary Tony Rance.

At that time, the club was £700,000 in debt and in danger of going out of the Football League.

But Wrexham with Rhodes, working with chairman Pryce Griffiths and manager Brian Flynn, ensured that Wrexham weathered the storm and the club enjoyed a decade of relative prosperity, wiping out their debts, building new training facilities and improving their stadium.

Rhodes also survived a boardroom split in 2000, which resulted in Geoff Farrell losing his seat as a director.

His departure triggered more financial problems for the club, and Rhodes was instrumental in identifying Denis Smith as the ideal replacement for Flynn, when he left the club in September 2001.

Meanwhile, a Lee Jones penalty in extra time gave Wrexham Reserves a hard-earned place in the semi-finals of the Pontins League Cup at the Racecourse last night.

Visitors Grimsby Town were down to nine men when the 120 minutes were completed but kept up their stubborn resistance to the end of the game.

Wrexham were comfortably on top even before defender Kirk Wheeler was sent off in the 21st minute.

He was shown a straight red card for denying Hector Sam a goalscoring opportunity.

From the free-kick, goal-keeper Ollie Richardson made a fine save, as he had earlier in denying Lee Jones.

Mark Jones also went close for the home side, and Lee Jones struck another effort inches wide before Grismby briefly rallied just before the break.

But Paul Huckett's header was turned over the bar by Paul Whitfield and Liam Nimmo's effort was headed off the Wrexham line by Simon Spender.

The second half brought a host of further opportunities for Wrexham, to win the game in normal time but Spender, Lee Jones and Sam all failed to beat Richardson.

Nine minutes into the extra half hour, Tony Crane followed Wheeler's early exit, committing a similar offence on Lee Jones who notched the winner from the spot.