Birmingham City moved three points clear at the top of League One after battling to a 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

Ollie Rathbone’s fine ninth-minute strike for the hosts was cancelled out nine minutes later when Lyndon Dykes’ header went in off Wrexham midfielder George Dobson.

Wrexham’s bid for a winner after the break included headers from James McClean and substitute Steven Fletcher being kept out by Ryan Allsop as Birmingham held out for a point.

Chris Davies’ men are now three points clear of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers who host Northampton Town on Saturday, while Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham are two points further back in third, having played two more games than the leaders.

While the clash had been dubbed the ‘Hollywood derby’ on account of the celebrities involved at each club, neither actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham’s co-owners, nor seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Birmingham’s minority owner, were in attendance.

Birmingham’s American chairman Tom Wagner was present, among the fans in the away section, while the Wrexham box included members of the Allyn family from New York, who had become minority investors in the club in October.

Reynolds had emphasised ahead of the game his and McElhenney’s desire to beat Brady as their teams went head-to-head again, with Birmingham having won the previous meeting 3-1 at St Andrew’s in September.

That contest saw Wrexham go in front early on, and they did so again as Ollie Palmer challenged Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Rathbone picked up the ball, advanced towards the box and curled a beauty from around 20 yards past Allsop and into the bottom corner.

It brought a huge roar around the ground, but Birmingham were swiftly level when Marc Leonard’s corner was headed goalwards by Dykes at the back post, with the ball going in via Dobson’s back.

Entertainment was then somewhat lacking for the remainder of the first half in which Alfie May and Dykes made unsuccessful attempts on goal for Birmingham and Rathbone fired over just prior to the interval.

Dobson then brought a save out of Allsop early in the second half, before the Birmingham goalkeeper tipped a Ryan Barnett cross over the bar, then did well to parry McClean’s header from the resulting corner.

After Arthur Okonkwo dealt with a firm hit from May at the other end, Wrexham went back on the attack, with a deflected Paul Mullin effort looping onto the roof of net and fellow substitute Fletcher seeing a header parried by Allsop.

The Welsh side continued to push late on but to no avail, while Gardner-Hickman sent a shot wide in stoppage time as points were shared. PA

10:26 PM GMT

‘We responded well”

Birmingham manager Chris Davies reacts to his side’s 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

On his team’s performance:

On Ryan Allsop’s performance:

09:55 PM GMT

Full-time: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

It is all over at the Racecourse Ground. It ends all square with both goals coming early in the first half. The result tonight will benefit Birmingham more than Phil Parkinson’s side who remain five points clear at the top of the table.

But it was a pleasing performance from Wrexham – they wrestled back momentum and finished the stronger side.

09:52 PM GMT

90+4 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Now Birmingham get their moment! Gardner-Hickman drives forward towards goal from 30 yards but it just rolls past the goal.

09:50 PM GMT

90+2 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

What a ball from James McClean. It looked to be heading towards Fletcher but it seems that Ben Davies got a touch on it to put the striker off his line. Four minutes added on at the Racecourse Ground. Can either side find a winner in the final minutes?

09:47 PM GMT

88 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Here we go – another corner for Wrexham which is whipped into the box. However, it is headed just over the bar by Jutkiewicz. Birmingham are living dangerously in these final minutes at the Racecourse Ground.

09:43 PM GMT

85 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham make another change – Jutkiewicz is on for May. The visitors are certainly hanging on in there.

09:42 PM GMT

82 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Again, another chance for the hosts! They win a corner which is whipped into the centre of the box – they are so many Wrexham players in the box and around the ball. However, no one could get a decisive touch to score for the hosts.

09:40 PM GMT

79 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Wrexham are really pushing here! The hosts win a free-kick in a decent area – O’Connor whips the ball up to Fletcher at the back stick, who heads it low towards goal. Sadly, no Wrexham player could get a decent touch to tap it in.

09:35 PM GMT

76 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The hosts are having another spell in the game – really pushing for a second goal. It is opening up here at the City Ground but there is a real lack of final-third quality.

Here we go again – Wrexham get in from behind as Mullin attempts to whip the ball across in the middle to Dobson. However, it is just behind his team-mate.

09:31 PM GMT

73 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

A double change for the hosts! Lee and Palmer make way for Mullin and Fletcher.

09:28 PM GMT

70 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Chris Davies blinks first and makes his changes! Wright makes away for Anderson. What a start from Anderson. Full of energy as he bursts down the right onto a pass from Laird. He flicks the ball onto the path of Alfie May, who fluffs his lines and mistimes his kick.

09:26 PM GMT

67 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

What a chance for Wrexham – Allsop has single handedly kept Birmingham level at the Racecourse Ground. Captain McClean steers the ball towards goal with his head from the near post. However, the goalkeeper gets a touch and pushes it away from his line. A brilliant save from Allsop!

09:23 PM GMT

64 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Barnett has come alive in this second half – he curls a cross into the box but it looks to be drifting just under the bar. It forces the Birmingham goalkeeper to turn it behind for a corner.

09:21 PM GMT

61 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Wrexham have been sending it long as they look for a second goal but Birmingham are dealing with everything that comes there way for now.

09:18 PM GMT

57 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Wrexham are living dangerously here – it was a brilliant corner from Birmingham! Klarer peels away from the far post and is completely unmarked. He has the perfect opportunity to put the ball back across the box  – however, he gets himself into such a muddle and the chance goes from him.

09:16 PM GMT

54 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham lose out in defence allowing Wrexham to attack through Rathbone. He sees the Birmingham goalkeeper off of his line but opts not to shoot. The attack is low but the ball is worked back to McClean on the edge of the box and he does decide to take aim this time but sees his low drive saved easily by Allsop.

09:11 PM GMT

51 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The first real attacking threat of the second half – coming from the hosts – they press forward and Dobson unleashes from 30 yards out. However, it is fairly comfortable for the Birmingham goalkeeper.

09:09 PM GMT

48 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

It’s been a fairly low-key start to the second half but Birmingham are continuing to press Wrexham high up the pitch and have forced a couple of looses passes from Barnett.

The second half has started just like the first half did. A little disjointed with no one taking control as yet.

09:05 PM GMT

45 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Wrexham get us underway for the second half going from right to left. Can they get themselves into the lead? Neither team have made a change at the break.

08:49 PM GMT

Half-time: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

All square at the Racecourse Ground. Oli Rathbone scored early for the hosts through a brilliant effort. However, Birmingham quickly equalised following a corner.

08:47 PM GMT

45 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Alfie May had a decent chance from the edge of the box for the visitors. However, the striker slips in but Max Cleworth does well to stick to his task and make the challenge. May looks uncomfortable but is quickly back on his feet.

One minute added on at the Racecourse Ground.

08:43 PM GMT

43 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The hosts are looking brighter in the closing stages of the first half. Barnett has been quiet down the right for Wrexham – he gets the perfect opportunity to cross but it is a poor delivery. In the end, it was an easy clearance for Birmingham’s backline.

08:40 PM GMT

40 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Gardner-Hickman plays a brilliant, slicing through-ball. This time it’s in behind for Dykes but the strike can’t quite latch onto it as the Wrexham goalkeeper comes out to gather.

08:36 PM GMT

37 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The hosts mount a rare attack down their left and their fans are adamant they should have a foul for Gardner-Hickman’s challenge on Rathbone but no doing.

08:34 PM GMT

34 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Lyndon Dykes is causing problems for Wrexham’s defence. He picks the ball up 35 yards out  – the ball sits up nicely for the forward but he lashes wide.

08:32 PM GMT

31 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham are continuing to press Wrexham high up the pitch and have forced a couple of loose passes from Wrexham’s midfield.

08:29 PM GMT

28 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The visitors have the momentum now – stringing some nice passes together in and around the area.

However, Wrexham play out nicely this time and McClean’s long ball into Rathbone is a good one but his cut back from the right of the box doesn’t find a red shirt.

08:28 PM GMT

25 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

I am still trying to work out who actually scored the goal for Birmingham. Laird clearly wants it – Dobson certainly does not! On the scoresheet, it is currently going down as Dykes goal but it definitely was not him.

08:25 PM GMT

21 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

A nice move from Birmingham down their left as Laird is fed into the left of the box but his pull-back is cut out by a Wrexham defender.

The hosts are just starting to struggle to keep onto the ball for any meaningful period of time when they win it back. Birmingham are finding most of their joy down their left.

08:22 PM GMT

18 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

The hosts were warned in the opening minutes about giving space to Lyndon Dykes at the far post – sadly for Phil Parkinson’s side they have punished.

08:21 PM GMT

17 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 1

GOAL

The visitors equalise from a corner. It was a high ball up the far post headed back across goal by Dykes – Laird seems to be claiming it for Birmingham.

However, on replay it seems to come off Dobson for an own goal. For Birmingham, they will not care – it is all square at the Racecourse Ground.

08:18 PM GMT

12 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 0

James McClean has started this game positively. A lovely touch from the Wrexham captain and the hosts are in behind. Goalscorer Rathbone tries to take it forward but he does not get enough on the delivery – it allows Birmingham’s backline to clear.

08:14 PM GMT

10 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 0

The perfect start for Wrexham – just what Phil Parkinson needs. Just under 10 minutes played at the Racecourse Ground and the hosts have something to hold onto.

08:12 PM GMT

9 min: Wrexham 1 Birmingham 0

GOAL

Oli Rathbone gives Wrexham the lead – what a brilliant strike! Rathbone nicked the ball from Gardner-Hickman and curled a shot beyond the Birmingham goalkeeper from around 20 yards.

08:10 PM GMT

6 min: Wrexham 0 Birmingham 0

Birmingham have started well here at the Racecourse Ground and have already seen two penalty appeals waved away from the referee.

08:07 PM GMT

4 min: Wrexham 0 Birmingham 0

First corner of the game goes to the visitors. Lyndon Dykes’ header towards the goal strikes the arm of centre-back Dan Scarr. Birmingham appealed for a penalty but on replay Scarr knew nothing about it – the referee is not interested.

The arm was raised but it did not travel far enough to worry the referee.

08:04 PM GMT

2 min: Wrexham 0 Birmingham 0

The hosts have started positively – a long ball up to Palmer. He tries to bulldoze his way through the Birmingham backline but it is dealt well by Klarer.

Phil Parkinson’s side are setting their intentions out early.

08:01 PM GMT

Kick-off

Jay Stansfield gets the game underway at the Racecourse Ground! Big stakes tonight for both teams in the title race.

08:00 PM GMT

The teams are out

The atmosphere is building inside the Racecourse Ground with a pre-match light show before the players emerge from the tunnel.

So, a win for Wrexham and things certainly tighten up in the title race! Victory for Birmingham – games in hand – things will look very rosey for Chris Davies’side.

07:58 PM GMT

Your teams in black and white

Wrexham: Okonwko; Cleworth, Scarr, O’Connor; Barnett, Rathbone, Dobson, James, McClean; Lee; Palmer

Substitutes: Howard, O’Connell, Revan, Cannon, Mullin, Marriott, Fletcher

Birmingham: Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Gardner-Hickman; Wright, Dykes, Stansfield; May

Substitutes: Peacock-Farrell, Bielik, Hanley, Harris, Yokoyama, Anderson, Jutkiewicz

07:56 PM GMT

Kick-off minutes away

The warm-ups are done – as we move closer to kick-off at the Racecourse Ground. Sadly, it does not look like that Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in attendance, nor Birmingham City co-owner Tom Brady.

07:50 PM GMT

Parkinson:‘Brilliant test for us tonight’

The Wrexham manager is looking for a big performance for his side after losing to Shrewsbury Town on January 16. Phil Parkinson knows the significance of this games – in terms of the race for the Championship.

Here are Parkinson’s pre-match thoughts:

07:41 PM GMT

Tom Wagner is in attendance

Birmingham chairman Tom Wagner is at the Racecourse Ground for tonight’s match. Sky Sports are showing clips of the American wearing a Birmingham hoodie and mingling with fans ahead of kick-off.

07:37 PM GMT

Parkinson: ‘Not enough being done about McClean abuse’

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has been speaking to Sky Sports saying the EFL needs to do more to protect James McClean from the abuse the midfielder receives during the games.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder has regularly been targeted by opposition supporters throughout his professional career. The EFL are investigating crowd incidents during the game at Shrewsbury, when stewards hard to form a barricade as McClean went to take a throw-in in front of the fans.

In response, the Irishman made derogatory comments about Shrewsbury on his Instagram account after the game which he later deleted.

07:28 PM GMT

Best betting sites

As we build up to kick-off – betting on the football tonight? Take a look at these best betting sites for free bets and betting offers.

07:25 PM GMT

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07:14 PM GMT

Wrexham team news

Three changes for the hosts with Dan Scarr, George Dobson and Ollie Palmer in for Eoghan O’Connell, Andy Cannon and Steven Fletcher. And of course, captain James McClean starts despite being involved in a car accident on Wednesday.

07:11 PM GMT

Birmingham team news

Chris Davies’ makes one change from their 1-0 win over Exeter on Saturday. Forward Lydon Dykes returns to the side at the expense of Luke Harris. Paik Seung-ho, Tomoki Iwata and Willum Willumsson miss out but Keshi Anderson is back on the bench for the visitors.

07:04 PM GMT

Will James McClean play tonight?

The Wrexham midfielder was involved in a car accident on his way to training on Wednesday morning. Our chiefs sports reporter Jeremy Wilson has the details:

06:57 PM GMT

Welcome to the ‘Hollywood derby’

Good evening and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Wrexham vs Birmingham City – where two of League One’s biggest spenders, go head-to-head this evening at the Racecourse Ground in a pivotal encounter in the race for the Championship.

Birmingham are currently topping the table with 56 points and Wrexham are lagging behind by five points in third place following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury Town last week.

Phil Parkinson’s side have lost two of their last three matches making their push for League One title take a bit of a hit. But they are still in touch, and if they can win tonight it could put them one step closer to promotion for the third successive season after promotion from the National League just two years ago.

The match has been dubbed the ‘Hollywood derby’ due to Wrexham being owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob MCElhenney and NFL superstar Tom Brady owning a minority stake in Birmingham City.

The previous encounter between the two teams was back in September – the fixture attracted a star-studded crowd that included David Beckham and Gary Neville, as well as Brady and McElhenney.

The reverse fixture, held at Racecourse Ground tonight, is expected to be so popular in the US that the match will be screened in Los Angeles and Dallas on two immersive ‘shared reality’ domes.

Birmingham comfortably won the fixture 3-1 at St Andrew’s in September, but with five points separating the two sides, there is an even greater importance on the return fixture tonight.

However, Birmingham are without a number of key players – Park Seung-ho, Tomoki Iwata, Willum Willunsson are likely to miss out.

And for Wrexham, following a worrying result against Shrewsbury Town, Phil Parkinson could make some changes to their XI, with Andy Cannon a candidate to drop out of the side.

Full team news on the way shortly.