Graham Barrow praised his ‘professional’ Dragons after their 1-0 Vanarama National League home win against promotion rivals Solihull Moors at the Racecourse.
More than 6,000 spectators watched Wrexham follow their 5-1 success against Salford City on Boxing Day with another victory.
Former Liverpool trainee and Chester City winger Paul Rutherford scored the winner for Wrexham, who are now one point behind leaders Leyton Orient with a game in hand.
Rutherford broke the deadlock four minutes after the interval. James Jennings crossed from the left after Bobby Grant’s superb flick-on and, following Stuart Beavon’s touch, Rutherford turned in from close range.
What a way to finish off the last game @Wrexham_AFC in 2018 with a great 1-0 win
Our support is the best around with 14,500 fans during our last 2 home games
We have a committed,talented & hungry group of players that appreciate your continued support and belief#WeAreOneTeam pic.twitter.com/L1HidVWsMo
— Carl Darlington (@CarlDarlington) December 29, 2018
Manager Barrow and his players now focus on their trip to play Salford on New Year’s Day.
“It was a real important win to back up a great performance against Salford,” he said. “It was a real professional job.
“It took a lot of concentration and energy to earn the three points. They are big, strong and physical and play a style that suits them.
“We dealt with everything and that shows that we can do a bit of everything.”
Moors manager Tim Flowers was fed up with the result, saying: “We were the better side. Take the first 20 minutes out of it and we bossed the game.
GB | “It took a lot of concentration and energy to get the three points”#WeAreOneTeam pic.twitter.com/LXVt3m5wBJ
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) December 29, 2018
“We had a lot of territory and, in the second half in particular, a lot of chances. We were terrific and I couldn’t fault the players to a man.
“Their goal came from a big diagonal that we should deal with. They got in down the side of us and to the byline – I’d like to see it back because the lads are saying it was offside.
“I will look at it on the tape and if it is offside, then I’ll be disappointed.
“We’ve come to one of the title favourites with a massive squad and acquitted ourselves very well, so I’m delighted with that. We’re in a good place.”
https://twitter.com/SolihullMoors/status/1079064416103084032
Rutherford’s first league goal of the season came early in the second half and the result, combined with Salford’s defeat at Barrow and Leyton Orient’s goalless draw against Dover, means Wrexham are four points clear of third-placed Fylde and one behind the leaders.
Graham Barrow opted for an unchanged starting, although fit-again Kevin Roberts and Luke Young were among the substitutes.
Solihull threw men forward in the five minutes of stoppage time, but were met by a wall of Wrexham defenders as the Dragons stood firm to record back-to-back home wins.
Wrexham AFC: (4-1-4-1): Lainton, Carrington, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings, Walker (Roberts 86), Grant, Summerfield (Tollitt 79), Wright, Rutherford, Beavon (Young 67). Subs not used: Dibble, Holroyd
Solihull Moors: (4-4-2): Boot, Williams, Gudger, Daly, Reckford, Maxwell (Hylton 68), Storer, Osborne, Carter, Blissett (Stenson 79), Wright (Yussuf 71). Subs not used: Carline, Flowers
Referee: Declan Bourne (Notts)
Attendance: 6,220 (away 116)
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE – TOP 10
| POS | TEAM | PL | PTS |
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 27 | 54 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 26 | 53 |
| 3 | AFC Fylde | 27 | 49 |
| 4 | Salford City | 27 | 49 |
| 5 | Solihull Moors | 26 | 47 |
| 6 | Harrogate Town | 27 | 46 |
| 7 | Gateshead | 26 | 46 |
| 8 | Sutton United | 26 | 46 |
| 9 | Ebbsfleet United | 27 | 40 |
| 10 | Eastleigh | 27 | 40 |