Graham Barrow’s Dragons are on the march. Wrexham are fourth in the Vanarama National League with a game in hand on the three teams above them.
They ended a run of four matches without a win with their 2-0 success against Eastleigh in front of more than 4,000 spectators at the Racecourse.
Their next test is an Emirates FA Cup replay at Newport County on Tuesday followed by an FA Trophy home tie against Boston United.
Promotion has to be the main focus, though, and interim manager Barrow said: “The pace at the top of the league is relentless. Nobody has a cushion and it’s going to be relentless so we need to stay with it.
“We’ve given ourselves a platform to have a good season and we really want to. The league is our bread and butter and we want to be in that leading pack.”
http://https://youtu.be/rqmvPrpsgAY
Wrexham took an early lead through James Jennings and Bobby Grant netted his first Wrexham goal to seal victory.
Barrow has been guaranteed his assistant role, having signed a new two and a half year contract, even though the club are decided on a new manager following the departure of Sam Ricketts to Shrewsbury.
“I was more pleased with the second half performance,” said Barrow. “Eastleigh had won their last five away games and our players showed a good appetite.
“We have spoken about getting back to winning ways and we were worthy winners.
“I was pleased with the energy of the team. There were lots of positives.”
Grant and fellow loanee Stuart Beavon linked well for Wrexham and Barrow said: “Bobby has been close to a goal in his previous games. He is probably just lacking match practice.
“That sharpness that leads to goals is certainly coming back.”
Manny Smith returned from injury to take over from the suspended Shaun Pearson and the caretaker boss said: “It was vital to get back to winning ways, important for the players.
“Manny has stepped up before time and done really well.
“Carra (Mark Carrington) gives us that versatility, too, and Jake Lawlor is another unsung hero. His performances are seven or eight out of 10 every week.”
Wrexham completed a League double against Eastleigh, while top two Leyton Orient and Salford City both lost.
Left-back Jennings gave Wrexham the lead when ball into the penalty area from a wide position floated over goalkeeper Max Stryjek and into the far corner.
Jennings was denied second of the game when his header, from Luke Summerfield’s 25th minute corner, was cleared off the line by Cavaghn Miley. Akil Wright followed-up and his effort, too, was cleared.
Luke Young set up the second after a quick counter-attack on 59 minutes.
Beavon got in behind the defence on the left and, though he miscued his square pass, Young slipped the loose ball to release Grant, who coolly slotted in his first Wrexham goal.
The Dragons are in good shape when you glance at the league table and now focus on their all-Wales FA Cup clash with Newport County at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.
Wrexham AFC: (4-1-3-2): Lainton, Roberts (Young 51), Lawlor, Smith, Jennings, Carrington, Summerfield, Wright, Rutherford, Beavon (Holroyd 81), Grant (Fondop 90). Subs not used: Dibble, Deverdics.
Eastleigh: (4-3-1-2): Stryjek, Hare, Wynter, Boyce (Jones 76), Johnson, Gobern, Hollands, Miley (Green 76), Yeates, Williamson (Dennett 83), McCallum. Subs not used: Zebroski, Bearwish.
Referee: Peter Gibbons (Wirral)
Attendance: 4,105 (away 56)
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 24 | 14 | 8 | 2 | +30 | 50 |
| 2 | Salford | 24 | 14 | 7 | 3 | +26 | 49 |
| 3 | Harrogate T | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 | +19 | 46 |
| 4 | Wrexham | 23 | 13 | 7 | 3 | +16 | 46 |
| 5 | Solihull M | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | +13 | 44 |