FRESH from the win at Altrincham on Saturday Dean Saunders made two changes for the visit of high flying Mansfield Town. New signing Luke Holden made his Dragons debut in place of Sakho and Mike Williams replaced the injured Frank Sinclair at left back.

On a cold, wet night in North Wales Mansfield kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse and had an early effort from Challinor blocked.

Both sides made an enterprising start to the match and looked to attack at every opportunity but Wrexham slowly got on top and could have taken the lead on nine minutes, when Assoumani's header from Baynes corner was turned goal wards by Mangan but unfortunately for the Reds striker the ball rattled the bar and went over.

Wes Baynes put a good effort just over for Wrexham whilst at the other end the defence had to be on their mettle to deal with a couple of long throws from Challinor.

With 23 minutes gone a superb 25 yard free kick from Wes Baynes swerved viciously and Alan Marriott reacted well to tip it on to the bar, the rebound fell to McCluskey who fired well wide.

Wrexham deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes when Christian Smith won the ball in midfield and played a fine pass to Wes Baynes and the young striker fired a fierce drive under Marriott and in to the net.

Three minutes later Baynes cross in to the box found McCluskey in a good position but his control was poor and he could only lay it back to debutant Luke Holden who's shot was deflected wide.

Holden was looking lively on his debut and combining well with Mike Williams down the left hand side. Mansfield were offering little as an attacking force but Brough did put a header wide on 41 minutes.

In the one added minute we almost had a controversial moment as Marriott's poor clearance fell to Andy Mangan some thirty yards out but as the striker drew back his foot to shoot at the unguarded goal referee Halliday blew the half time whistle to the frustration of the Reds striker. Wrexham deserved their half time lead.

Half Time: Wrexham 1 Mansfield Town 0

Mansfield boss David Holdsworth made a change at the break bringing on Louis Briscoe and switching to a 4-4-2 formation to match Wrexham but it was the Dragons who started the brighter but once again fell to a sucker punch. Poor marking from a Craig Armstrong throw in allowed Jake Speight a free header from close range and he netted the equaliser.

Wrexham responded well and Jamie McCluskey put a chip just wide and then a minute later the diminutive Scot fired a good effort that had Marriott scrambling across his goal. Mansfield were getting forward a lot more in the second period with Matt Somner making a couple of good breaks one of which led to ex Red Richard Duffy finishing poorly.

Christian Smith was booked on 56 minutes, before the Dragons took the lead when goal poacher Andy Mangan was on hand to fire the ball home after Assoumani 's header found him in the area.

The game was pretty even at this stage and Luke Holden should have added a third on 64 minutes when he arrived at the far post to fire wide from a brilliant McCluskey cross. Luke Foster header was held by Russell and the same player then put another effort wide soon after.

Holdsworth made a double change on 72 minutes and it lifted his side to new efforts. Sam Russell made a fine save at Speight's feet and then a looping header from Foster cleared the bar. With the pitch very heavy and cutting up badly both sides tired but it was the Stags who kept pressing looking for the equaliser.

With five added minutes referee Halliday made a controversial decision to send off Christian Smith for what looked like an innocuous tackle in midfield but the midfielder was shown a second yellow to the obvious displeasure of the Dragons management team.

Wrexham held on to clinch their third win in four games and back to back wins in the league for the first time this season.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Sam Russell, Silvio Spann, Ashley Westwood, Mansour Assoumani, Mike Williams, Jamie McCluskey (Curtis Obeng 78), Andy Fleming, Christian Smith, Luke Holden (Mark Jones 85), Andy Mangan (Obi Anoruo 81), Wes Baynes.
Subs: Chris Maxwell, Matty Wolfenden.

Mansfield Town (4-3-3): Alan Marriott, Gary Silk, Luke Jones, Luke Foster, Craig Armstrong, Jon Challinor (Louis Briscoe 46), Matt Somner, Michael Brough (Oliver Hotchkiss 71), Jake Speight, Rob Duffy, Ryan Williams (Kyle Perry 71).
Subs: Steven Istead, Neil Collett.

Referee: IA Halliday (N Yorks)
Attendance: 2,689
Away: 105

Bookings -
Wrexham: Christian Smith (foul), Ashley Westwood (foul), Luke Holden (foul)
Mansfield: Matt Somner (foul)

Sent Off -
Wrexham: Christian Smith (Second Yellow)