WREXHAM defeated Mansfield Town for the third time this season in a much improved performance with goals from Obi Anoruo and Andrew Crofts sending the Stags home pointless.

On a bright, sunny but windy day in North Wales Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse and some fans had hardly settled into their seat when Silvio Spann received a yellow card for an aerial challenge on Scott Garner, which left the Mansfield man needing treatment.

Both sides looked nervy at the back and Jeff Louis turned well on the edge of the area to hook a right foot shot just over the bar on five minutes. With heavy rain now falling on the pitch Ryan Flynn almost got on the end of a drilled cross from Spann.

On nine minutes, Wrexham took the lead when Scott Garner handled under pressure from Obi Anoruo and Mr Fletcher pointed to the spot.

Obi Anoruo calmly sent the experienced Alan Marriott the wrong way to put Wrexham into a deserved lead.

Wrexham were playing really well and looking to have a better balance to the side but still had to be wary at the back as D'Laryea volleyed over from the edge of the box on 22 minutes.

The Red Dragons increased their lead on 25 minutes with Andrew Crofts first goal for the club, his diving header from John Curtis cross finding the net past Marriott's despairing dive to send the Wrexham fans into ecstasy.

Mansfield made a change bringing on the experienced Daryl Clare for the limping Curtis Woodhouse on 26 minutes, but it was Wrexham who were on top territorially and Jeff Louis put in a header from a Spann free kick.

Andrew Crofts had a half chance on the half hour mark but his mishit shot bounced through to Alan Marriott.

Wrexham were fortunate to retain their two goal advantage when Mansfield had a spell of three corners and from the third Rob Duffy headed home from close range only to see his effort ruled out by the assistant's flag on 37 minutes.

Wrexham bounced back and after a good break by Ryan Flynn down the left Neil Taylor put a right foot shot just wide of the goal.

In the three added minutes Alan Marriott did well to deal with a driven Spann corner but there were no further goals and Wrexham held a deserved two goal lead at the break.

Half Time: Wrexham 2 Mansfield Town 0

No further changes in personnel at the break as Mansfield kicked off. Again Wrexham made a bright start to the half and both Louis and Flynn had half chances to add to their lead.

John Curtis limped off on 50 minutes to be replaced by Sam Williamson, Neil Taylor moving to the right back position. Silvio Spann did well a minute later to set up Ryan Flynn but the young wingers shot was bravely blocked by Ade Moses on the edge of the area.

Moses was booked for pulling back Obi Anoruo, the youngster needed some treatment for a bloody nose as the game fell into a scrappy spell.

Wes Baynes replaced Silvio Spann as Dean Saunders looked to inject some energy down the right hand side and almost immediately Wrexham had a great chance to put the game beyond doubt, when Jeff Louis shot wide when he should have played in Ryan Flynn who was well placed.

Flynn had a similar chance a minute later and this time he played in Louis whose effort was well saved by Marriott.

Wrexham still looked the likelier side and Louis had a couple of efforts over the bar before Gunnar Nielsen earned his money with a fine save to keep out a shot from Mansfield substitute Briscoe.

A goal conceded at that stage could have caused a nervy end for the Red Dragons.

Dean Saunders looked to tighten up things in midfield replacing the lively Anoruo with Nathan Fairhurst leaving Jeff Louis to plough a lonely furrow up front, but to be fair Mansfield did not really threaten and it was Wes Baynes 40 yard effort that almost caught Marriott off guard.

Matt Somner and Paul Mayo picked up yellow cards as the visitors frustration boiled over but it was still Wrexham that looked the likelier side to score when Wes Baynes free kick was blocked and his effort from the rebound was held by Marriott.

Nathan Fairhurst went close in the four added minutes and it was a welcome relief to the Wrexham fans when the referee's whistle signalled their side's first home win since 14 February.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Gunnar Nielsen, John Curtis (Sam Williamson 50), Ashley Westwood, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor, Silvio Spann ( Wes Baynes 61), Andy Fleming, Andrew Crofts, Ryan Flynn, Obi Anoruo (Nathan Fairhurst 74), Jefferson Louis.
Subs: Aurelien Collin, Jon Brown.

Mansfield Town (4-4-2): Alan Marriott, Gianluca Havern, Ade Moses, Scott Garner, Paul Mayo, Nathan Arnold, Matt Somner, Jonathan D'Laryea, Curtis Woodhouse (Daryl Clare 26) , Ryan Williams (Louis Briscoe 53), Rob Duffy (Aaron O'Connor 69).
Subs: Jason White, Alan O'Hare.

Referee: R Fletcher (Derbyshire)
Attendance: 2,401
Away: 166

Bookings -
Wrexham: Silvio Spann (foul)
Mansfield Town: Curtis Woodhouse (foul), Ade Moses (foul), Scott Garner (foul), Matt Somner (foul), Paul Mayo (foul)