TEENAGER Neil Taylor’s Football League debut may have ended in defeat, but the youngster could feel pleased with his performance at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

The 18-year-old defender was pressed into action against Stockport County following midweek injuries to Ryan Valentine and Mike Williams, despite the fact he had only recently recovered from a knock received while on duty with the Wales under-21 side.

And Ruthin-born Taylor admitted he was desperately disappointed by the 2-1 defeat, claiming Wrexham had done enough to at least earn a share of the spoils.

“I was pleased with my performance until I got a bit of cramp in my calf and I thought we were playing okay as a team to be fair,” he said afterwards, having been replaced shortly after the hour mark.

“I started training two days ago from my last injury and maybe that affected me this afternoon, but we definitely deserved to get something out of the game and it’s a bit annoying that we’ve gone away empty-handed.

“It was evenly matched and I thought Stockport just pumped it forward whenever they could. They were looking for flick-ons and second balls but I felt we played some good stuff at times and in the second half we were on top.

“We were getting down the outside a few times and we looked a decent team. But two mistakes have cost us the game, which is typical of the luck we have been having recently.”

The Wales under-19 captain added: “I definitely enjoyed it, it’s been a great experience and hopefully there will be a lot more to come in the future.”

Wrexham manager Brian Carey, meanwhile, had no excuses for the defensive lapses that gifted County their two goals.

“At the end of the day we have lost the game and we can’t hide away from the facts,” said the Racecourse boss.

“They put us under pressure at the start which you would expect coming here because they are a decent side, but we stood up to it quite well.

“Yet the goal that they scored to get them back into the game was awful.

“You can’t give away goals like we did today. You are always disappointed to concede from a set piece but the first goal was particularly annoying and we have got to do better.”

Carey praised his younger and less experienced players for their effort, but claimed that luck had once again been in short supply.

“Marc Williams and Neil Taylor did well, as did Mike Carvill, so there were some decent performances and it was unfortunate we lost Silvio (Spann),” he added.

“We had a clear penalty in the second half again that was not given, but the end result is we’ve lost again.”