Wrexham lost their unbeaten home record at The Racecourse as Kettering went back to Northamptonshire with the points.

 Mani scored his first competitive goal for the Dragons, but they ended with 10 men as Sam Russell was carried off on a stretcher with Hedi Taboubi ending the match in goal.

Saunders made two changes from the side that battled hard to clinch vital three points on Tuesday with Curtis Obeng and Christian Smith replacing Neil Taylor and Andy Fleming.

Skipper Ashley Westwood was on the bench, his first involvement this season after his troublesome injury.

On a bright sunny afternoon in North Wales Kettering kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse and in a cagey opening to the game both sides sparred for the advantage.

Kettering were playing with Spencer up front on his own but then Green and Thomas were joining him at pace and it was Thomas who looked a threat causing Spann all sorts of problems.

Matty Wolfenden screwed an effort wide of the goal as Wrexham tried to up the tempo and Gareth Taylor also fired wide from 10 yards out. At the other end the Dragons had a scare when Roper flicked a Fowler free kick just wide with Russell standing helpless.

Wolfenden limped off on 20 minutes to be replaced by Marc Williams. The injury gave the Reds fans the opportunity to show their appreciation for long serving physio Mel Pejic, who is leaving the club after today's game.

Marc Williams went close on 24 minutes after the best move of the first half, his header was easily held by Harper though.

The visitors took the lead on 25 minutes, when a Fowler free kick found Geohaghan unmarked at the far post and he played it back for Damian Spencer to force the ball in from close range.

Marc Williams scuffed an effort wide soon after, but it was good to see him out on the pitch again.

Wrexham were struggling to get any fluency in their passing and were giving the ball away far too often and Francis Green should have added to their woes after Roper had flicked on a long throw in from Geohaghan, fortunately for Wrexham he missed the ball completely under pressure from Williamson.

Christian Smith had a header easily held by Harper and Kettering led at the break.

Half Time - Wrexham 0 Kettering Town 1

No further changes at the break and Wrexham kicked off in the second half but almost went further behind in the first minute when Spencer flicked a long throw just wide. Two minutes later Kettering did go to up when Patrick Noubissie fired home from 12 yards from a Francis Green cross.

A clash between Christian Smith and Andre Boucaud saw both booked and then Smith's error in leaving a back pass to Mani short almost allowed Thomas in for the third, but the pacy winger put his effort wide on this occasion.

Wrexham got themselves back into the game on 56 minutes, when Mani headed home a fine delivery from Silvio Spann from close range.

With Wrexham pressing forward looking for the equaliser the game became very open and scrappy. The Dragons passing was still sloppy on occasions and Saunders brought on Cieslewicz and Baynes in an effort to change things around.

The home side were now playing 4-3-3 but with Kettering sitting back they were very difficult to break down.

On 75 minutes, Kettering substitute Jean-Paul Marna crashed into Sam Russell as he chased a through ball with Mani, the goalkeeper crashed to the turf and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Hedi Taboubi took over in goal as the game turned a little bit ugly with Francis Green exchanging verbals with some Wrexham fans in the Sainsbury's paddock. Mark Cooper switched him on to the far side and he soon got in a low shot which stand-in keeper Taboubi did well to save.

With seven added minutes, Wrexham had an effort from Baynes wide before Mike Williams put the ball into the Kettering net only for the assistant's flag to deny him the equaliser. Kettering held on for the victory and went home happy with their three points.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann (Adrian Cieslewicz 65) , Mani,Mike Williams, Sam Williamson, Curtis Obeng, Hedi Taboubi, Christian Smith (Wes Baynes 77), Mark Jones , Gareth Taylor, Matty Wolfenden (Marc Williams 20).
Subs: Chris Maxwell, Ashley Westwood.

Kettering Town (4-4-2): Lee Harper, Nicky Eaden (61 John Dempster 61), Ian Roper, Exodus Geoghagan, James Jennings, Danny Thomas, Lee Fowler, Patrick Noubissie (Darren Wrack 86), Andre Boucaud, Francis Green, Damian Spencer (Jean-Paul Marna 77).
Subs: James McPike, Gareth Seddon.

Referee: J.Simpson (Lancs)
Attendance: 3,473
Away: 93

Bookings:
Wrexham: Christian Smith (foul), Curtis Obeng (foul)
Kettering: Andre Boucaud (foul), Nicky Eaden (foul)