A convincing win for The Red Dragons as goals from Mike Williams and Matty Wolfenden saw them cruise to their first win in four games against Crawley Town.

Wrexham boss Dean Saunders brought back Christian Smith from suspension as one of two changes for the visit of the play off chasing Red Devils from Sussex. Lamine Sakho replaced Jamie McCluskey as Saunders started with a 4-3-3 formation.

On a bitterly cold day in North Wales Wrexham kicked off attacking the ERS end of The Racecourse but in a scrappy opening on a difficult .pitch it was Crawley who broke first when Michael Malcolm's shot was deflected wide. Wrexham were looking to apply pressure whilst Crawley were content to play on the break.

Crawley almost benefited from a Sam Russell error on 7 minutes when he missed his punch under pressure from Malcolm and the ball bounced just wide of the goal. On the quarter of an hour mark Christian Smith glanced a header wide from close range after Andy Fleming moved quickly to return a poor clearance into the Crawley area.

Wrexham were looking positive and Luke Holden was playing well on the right side of the front three, it was the Scouser who found a fine Andy Mangan run with a diagonal pass on 18 minutes but Simon Rayner did really well to palm the strikers effort away for a corner. Smith headed Baynes resultant flag kick over from close range.

Barry Cogan's fierce drive scraped the Dragons bar after Wrexham struggled to clear their lines whilst at the other end Mangan looped a header just over the bar. Just before the half hour mark Lamine Sakho went off injured to be replaced by Matty Wolfenden and Dean Saunders switched to a 4-4-2 formation moving Holden to left side of midfield.

For the remainder of the half the initiative went to Crawley who looked the likelier to score without actually creating a clear cut chance as Wrexham defended their lines well and the half ended scoreless.

Half Time: Wrexham 0 Crawley Town 0

With no changes in personnel at the break Crawley got the second half under way. Andy Fleming was the first to test Rayner with a fierce drive on 51 minutes in a scrappy opening to the half. With one or two niggly fouls creeping in referee Mohareb produced three yellow cards in quick succession.

With the play fragmented neither side created any clear cut opportunities until the 61st minute, when Andy Fleming reacted quickly to put the ball back into the box and Matty Wolfenden's flick found an unmarked Mike Williams and the left back calmly slotted home his fourth goal of the season.

Wrexham looked to capitalise on their advantage and a nice link up between Wes Baynes and Andy Mangan set up the latter to fire in a fine effort which Rayner tipped over the bar.

Crawley's build up play was neat but the Dragons defence was solid and Sam Russell was not tested all afternoon. On 75 minutes Wes Baynes fine run was ended by a foul which saw him leave the field with an ankle injury. Luke Holden's resultant free kick forced a fine save at full stretch from Simon Rayner.

The Dragons went two up on 80 minutes when man of the match Andy Fleming burst down the right and crossed for Matty Wolfenden to neatly finish on the near post for his first senior goal. Christian Smith could have added a third when he scuffed a chance wide from close range and Luke Holden forced Rayner into a couple of good saves from long range shots as Wrexham looked capable of adding to their lead.

Despite the five added minutes and a lot of possession Crawley failed to test Sam Russell and Matty Wolfenden almost scored a second when he was denied by Rayner's legs.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann, Ashley Westwood, Mansour Assoumani, Mike Williams, Wes Baynes,(Mark Jonnes 75), Andy Fleming, Christian Smith, Lamine Sakho (Matty Wolfenden28), Andy Mangan (Gareth Taylor 71) , Luke Holden
Substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Curtis Obeng,

Crawley Town (4-4-1-1): Simon Rayner, Simon Rusk, Adam Quinn, Karl Broadhurst, Sam Rents, Barry Cogan, Thomas Pinault (Byron Napper 87), Eddie Hutchinson, Michael Malcolm, Ben Smith, Lewis Killeen (Danny Forrest 68).
Substitutes:Nick Jordan, Nick Carter, Paul Raynor

Referee: D.
Attendance: 2,475
Away: 39

Bookings:
Wrexham - Luke Holden (foul), Mansour Assoumani (foul)
Crawley Town- Simon Rusk (foul), Lewis Killeen (foul)