Goals -
1-0 Derbyshire (23)
2-0 Derbyshire (36)

What a way to announce yourself! Matt Derbyshire will certainly have cause to remember this night as two first half goals from the young striker were enough to see off the challenge of a revitalised Rushden and Diamonds side at the Racecourse.

It was a quiet opening at the Racecourse, as both sides seemed to be feeling each other out and apart from a couple of corners at either end, only new boy Derbyshire was able to get a sight of goal, his effort drifting wide on this occasion.

On 15 minutes, Czech striker Petr Mikolanda suddenly found the ball at his feet 20-yards out as the Wrexham back line failed to step out together, but despite the space available the youngster hurried his effort and fired wide of Michael Ingham's right hand post.

Derbyshire's pace was on display again soon after as he raced onto a Sam Williams pass, but he didn't get hold of his shot from a tight angle and it was a simple save for keeper Scott Tynan.

The Blackburn youngster then showed he can head a ball when a cross drifted over Dennis Lawrence and he beat his marker to head at the keeper from eight yards.

From a Wrexham corner on 22 minutes, Mark Jones completely missed his shot from distance and this allowed Rushden to break three-on-two. A bit of desperate defending eventually cleared the danger.

The ball then was sent back up field and the Reds won a corner, from which Matt Crowell delivered his cross to the near post for Lawrence to head down where Matt Derbyshire popped up to turn it home from close range and mark an already impressive debut!

From a throw in our own half, the ball was quickly despatched over the top for Matt Derbyshire to chase down the right and coming in off the wing he only had Tynan to beat, which he did in style, firing the ball across the keeper with the outside ofhis right foot.

Rushden looked to strike back straight away, but Drewe Broughton's 35-yard effort was always going wide despite having plenty of power behind it.

Was this a penalty? - We think so!

Derbyshire almost claimed a hat-trick on 40 minutes, with a low header to the ball from a freekick, but his effort just cleared the Diamonds crossbar.

There was a change to the visitors' line-up at the break, with Lee Tomlin coming on for West Ham loanee Mikolanda, but his first contribution was to get himself for delaying a freekick.

Another kick to Wrexham on 54 minutes saw Andy Holt head back across the face of the Rushden goal and with Derbyshire closing in Tynan moved off his line to grab the ball.

Barry Hunter made his second change by bringing on the experienced Dave Savage for Tony Stokes in midfield after 55 minutes.

Wrexham were doing well at keeping the Diamonds at arms length, although Broughton made space for a header at Ingham just passed the hour mark.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes Rushden were pushing more men forward and from a corner Broughton's header whistled inches over the woodwork.

The corner count continued to rise in the visitors favour, but Ingham was equal to anything that was asked of him.

Wrexham were finding some space as Diamonds pushed forward and Holt fired over an inviting cross on 85 minutes, following great work by Dennis Lawrence, while Derbyshire's pass for the open Simon Spender was just cut out Ronnie Bull.

To everyone's surprise the fourth official signalled five minutes of added time - just when we didn't need it!

Rushden showed great spirit in trying to get themselves back into the game, but with a two-goal advantage Wrexham more than held them comfortably at a safe distance.

Wrexham: Michael Ingham, Shaun Pejic, Danny Williams, Dennis Lawrence, Simon Spender, Andy Holt, Mark Jones, Matt Crowell (Levi Mackin 89), Jim Whitley, Matt Derbyshire, Sam Williams.
Subs: Michael Jones, Mike Williams, Matty Done, Marc Williams.

Rushden: Scott Tynan, Rob Gier, Wayne Hatswell, Phil Gulliver, Ronnie Bull, Tyrone Berry, Darren Caskey, Tony Stokes (Dave Savage 55), Marcus Kelly, Drewe Broughton, Petr Mikolanda (Lee Tomlin 46).
Subs: Danny Crane, Gary Mills, Ashley Nicholls.

Referee: L S Mason (Lancs)
Attendance: 3,195
Away: 95

Bookings -
Rushden: Bull (39, foul), Tomlin (46, delaying game), Gulliver (85, foul)