Marcus Kelly is not reading anything into the National League table as Wrexham gear up for their first local derby of the season.

Wrexham, who sit in ninth place, but are only two points behind early leaders Aldershot Town, travel to take on a Tranmere Rovers side who sit in 17th spot after a disappointing opening.

The Dragons have drawn their last three matches – 0-0 at winless Torquay United and at home to Hartlepool, following by Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate with Guiseley – and know a win in any of those matches would have seen them move to the zenith of the National League.

But Kelly is not getting carried away, and insists he has barely glanced at the standings given the season is merely 11 games old.

“It is our first derby of the season, hopefully it will be a great atmosphere,” said the midfielder. “They have got a big stadium and a good following, like us, so it is going to be a good game to play in.

“I haven’t really looked at the table. It is not a great start to the season for them, but I am sure they are a good team and have good players, so they will be coming right at us on Saturday.

“So it is going to be a tough test, but one I am looking forward to.

“I think it is too early to be looking at the table just yet. I have, I tell a lie I have had a brief look, but two points puts us top of the league, or two points puts us almost down at the bottom, so there is no point looking at the table so early in the season.”

Wrexham winger Marcus Kelly leaps over a challenge against Gateshead
Wrexham winger Marcus Kelly leaps over a challenge against Gateshead

Saturday’s share of the points was rescued by a 96th minute leveller from Sam Wedgbury, his strike cancelling out a first half goal from Raul Correia for Guiseley that deflected past on Luke Coddington, the on loan goalkeeper making his second debut for the Dragons.

Correia’s effort was the first goal Wrexham have conceded in six matches, while the draw extended the Dragons’ unbeaten run to six.

Wedgbury fired in the sixth minute of the eight added on by referee Joe Hull, although it was later revealed there had been more than 17-minutes of stoppages.

Kelly added: “To go one goal behind wasn’t ideal, we knew that they were going to sit behind the ball and make it really hard for us, so obviously it took us a while to break them down. But luckily we did in injury time with a great strike from Sam.

“It was tactical from them, they were going to go down and take longer than they needed to with the injuries they were picking up. But luckily we got the goal back and it was a great goal from Sam as well.

“Sam doesn’t get many, I haven’t seen him score that many even in training, so to see him get a goal in a game was great, and obviously it always feels better getting a late equaliser as well.”

Kelly continued: “Luke had a great game on Saturday, I was really impressed with him and he couldn’t really do anything with the goal.

“It was a deflection on the six yard box. The last few games we have been fantastic at the back, the team has defended really well, and obviously five clean sheets and six in the previous seven, so it is an unbelievable record.

“We’ve defended really well as a team recently, but unfortunately it was going to happen, we were going to concede eventually, but it was unfortunate, and we are just happy to get a point out of the game in the end.”

Wrexham's Sam Wedgbury celebrates scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Guiseley
Wrexham's Sam Wedgbury celebrates scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Guiseley

Kelly has been in an out of the team this season after picking up a few niggling injuries, the latest of which coming after 20 minutes in the home win over Bromley in early September.

The 31-year-old former Forest Green midfielder is now back to full fitness, and also welcomed the return of Chris Holroyd, the forward making his first start on Saturday after shaking off a dislocated shoulder suffered on the opening day of the campaign.

“I had a little niggle a couple of weeks ago, obviously at my age you know how your body feels and I didn’t really want to risk playing on and getting a worse injury, and then being out for six to eight weeks,” said Kelly. “So luckily it was only a two week niggle, and now hopefully I can stay fit.

“It was my hamstring, I felt a little tweak and I think I might have torn a few fibers, but it only took two weeks to get back and touch wood it stays that way.

“We have picked up a few little injuries, but thankfully everyone is coming back fit now. Chrissy is a big plus, coming back from his shoulder injury. He is like a new signing, and gives us lots of energy up front, he is a great player, so it is great to have him back.”