Former Wrexham winger Wayne Phillips says the Red Dragons simply "weren't good enough" in their defeat to Hull City on Tuesday night, insisting a strong response is now essential.
Wrexham fell two goals behind just after the hour mark, with Welsh international Lewis Koumas extending the Tiger's lead.
But speaking to BBC Radio Cymru on Tuesday evening, Phillips believes the damage was done long before the second goal.
"Put simply, too many of them weren't good enough on the night," he said.
"We could see that from the first 10 to 20 minutes. The passing wasn't good enough, and we don't see that very often with Wrexham."
Nathan Broadhead did offer Wrexham late hope, scoring his sixth of the season in a finish reminiscent of Alejandro Garnacho's goal for Chelsea against the Welsh side on Saturday.
"The goal in the second half gave them a little bit of hope," said Phillips.
"But over the 95 minutes I don't think they deserved a point or anything else out of the game."
Despite the setback, Phil Parkinson's team remain firmly in the play-off positions, three points clear of Derby County and just six behind their opponents Hull.
Fellow Welsh side, Swansea City have surged into contention as well, and victory in Friday's all-Welsh clash (13 March, 2000 GMT) could move the Swans to within two points of Wrexham.
Phillips, however, expects a reaction in the derby from his former side: "That's what they do, when they lose games, they respond," he said.
"It's not going to be easy, just like the nine games that follow the Swansea match. But what a game it is to look forward to."
"Swansea had a great result at Portsmouth, and we saw how strong Portsmouth were here a few weeks ago. But I hope Wrexham will be able to respond after losing tonight."
