After sealing a promotion fit for a Hollywood movie last term, Wrexham's start to life in League Two has been significantly more low-key.

The Red Dragons sit seventh after 12 games, four points behind old foes Notts County in top spot but also just four clear of the bottom half.

Their celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will face some fellow famous faces on Saturday when Salford — owned by Gary Neville and Co — visit the Racecourse Ground.

Ahead of that clash, we take a closer look at the Welsh outfit's season so far.

Shaky start

Thanks to the global appeal of Reynolds and McElhenney, Wrexham embarked on an extraordinary pre-season schedule for a fourth-tier club.

An American tour which featured clashes with Chelsea and Manchester United as well as MLS sides did wonders for their global brand — but perhaps not for their domestic preparations.

They were beaten 5-3 at home by MK Dons in their season opener and went on to draw three of their next four league matches, losing precious ground on the early leaders.

Three straight victories were then followed up by a three-game winless streak, showcasing a struggle for consistency not experienced last season.

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Ben Foster surprisingly announced his retirement from professional football after leaking 13 goals in his first four appearances of the campaign.

Missing Mullin

Wrexham's friendly win over United should have been cause for celebration but ended up marred by an injury to star man Paul Mullin.

Scouse striker Mullin, 28, managed to puncture his lung in a collision with United stopper Nathan Bishop, ruling him out of his side's first six League Two matches.

And though he is now one of the first names on the teamsheet again, last season's National League top scorer has yet to rediscover his clinical touch.

Aside from a brace against Crewe, Mullin has drawn a blank in his other five outings to date.

Get physical

Boss Phil Parkinson believes his side took some time to adjust to the physical demands of stepping up a division.

Speaking after a dramatic 5-5 draw with Swindon in August, he said: "There were too many times where we got outmuscled in midfield and we weren't strong enough.

"It reminds me of when we came up with Bolton into the Championship. The first few weeks we found the physicality was the difference.

"I believe we've got the players who can do that but it's an understanding that we've come up a level — teams, players are more physical and they're stronger."

In the mix

Despite all these early challenges, bookmakers still make Wrexham odds-on to seal promotion this season.

Only three teams can better their current ratio of two goals scored per game, while four clean sheets in their last seven league outings suggest an initially leaky backline is tightening up.

Add in the strong possibility of the club's Hollywood owners making funds available in the January window and a top-three finish suddenly seems well within reach.

Perhaps there will be another fairytale ending at the Racecourse Ground this season after all.