AS the Red Dragons returned from the international break, Dean Saunders made two changes in midfield from the side that lost a fortnight ago to Salisbury City, Andy Fleming and Jamie McCluskey, both second half substitutes against the Whites, starting in place of Lamine Sakho and Hedi Taboubi.

On a typical autumnal day in North Wales Grays kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse and for the first few minutes the play was scrappy.

The Dragons took the lead on four minutes though with a quality finish by Christian Smith, turning on the edge of the area after a good pass by Mark Jones and drilling it low and hard passed the despairing dive of debutant keeper Lloyd Anderson.

The first half was probably one of the most open seen this season at The Racecourse and Gareth Taylor had put a header narrowly wide before some dreadful defending by Wrexham allowed Onibuje clear on goal, fortunately for the Reds the ball stuck under the giant strikers foot and he lost the opportunity.

Wrexham did not learn their lesson however and Grays were level on 11 minutes when the Assoumani appeared to lose Charlie Taylor in the area, when he crossed Jamie Slabber's shot cum cross deflected off Mansour Assoumani and looped over the helpless Chris Maxwell into the Wrexham net.

The home side bounced back and with Christian Smith getting in to some good attacking positions should have regained the lead when the midfielder fired wide on 17 minutes after a set upfrom Mark Jones.

Two minutes later and Smith had another chance to restore the lead but again put his effort wide from close range. As the game remained very open Glenn Poole almost caught Maxwell unawares with a fierce left foot shot which the young keeper did well to hold.

Wrexham were well on top territorially and were getting more opportunities to score than in recent weeks against a Grays side that were struggling at the back. Marc Williams was pulling Hoyte all over the place and when the giant centre back slid into the Reds striker near the corner flag he injured himself and had to be replaced.

Whilst he was off the field receiving treatment Wrexham retook the lead, McCluskey's free kick was cleared as far as Andy Fleming on the edge of area, Flemmo's shot hit Marc Williams and looped up to Gareth Taylor who cleverly placed his header over Anderson to put Wrexham back in front.

Half Time : Wrexham 2 Grays Athletic 1

With no further changes in personnel at the break Wrexham got the second half underway but despite pressing Grays back in the opening minutes they could not create a clear chance on goal.

Anwar Uddin fired a poor free kick wide of the Reds goal on 57 minutes as a warning to the Reds before Christian Smith put a shot wide and then Curtis Obeng fired over the bar as Wrexham kept pressing.

Dean Saunders made a change on 65 minutes with a disappointed Marc Williams being replaced by Wes Baynes in a straight swap. Two minutes later Chris Maxwell had to come to Wrexhams' rescue when he did well to stand up to Onibuje and save with his legs.

There was a lengthy delay for an injury to Glenn Poole who was carried off on a stretcher after clashing with Christian Smith. After the game restarted Andy Fleming released Wes Baynes down the right wing and when his cross came in both Gareth Taylor and Jamie McCluskey missed great chances to close the game out.

The booking count mounted and the game was scrappy in the second halfwith Wrexham not committing as many players forward. Even so both Wes Baynes and Mark Jones had chances to make the victory more convincing, Anderson saving from Baynes and Jones putting his shot wide.

The eight added minutes were not unexpected after Poole's injury but neither side created anything to change the scoreline and Wrexham have to be grateful for the three points as they head out on the road over the next few weeks.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Chris Maxwell, Curtis Obeng, Mansour Assoumani, Frank Sinclair, Neil Taylor, Mark Jones, Christian Smith,Andy Fleming, Jamie McCluskey (Mike Williams 90+8), Gareth Taylor, Marc Williams (Wes Baynes 65).
Subs: Hedi Taboubi, Adrian Cieslewicz, Lamine Sakho.

Grays Athletic (4-4-2): Lloyd Anderson, Cameron Mawer, Gavin Hoyte (Danny Bunce 40), Anwar Uddin, Craig Braham - Barrett, Richie Graham, Kenny Davis, Jamie Slabber, Glenn Poole (Sam Cutler 75), Charlie Taylor (Petar Rnkovic 62), Fola Onibuje.
Subs: Daniel Charge, Daryl Robson.

Referee: P. Bankes
Attendance: 2,495
Away: 11

Bookings -
Wrexham: Christian Smith (dissent), Frank Sinclair (dissent)
Grays Athletic: Glenn Poole (foul), Cameron Mawer (foul), Kenny Davis (foul), Richie Graham (foul), Petar Rnkovic (foul), Craig Braham-Barrett (foul)