THEY huffed and puffed and finally progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy at Borough Park, but the Dragons can thank substitute Marc Williams for the victory, which was far from comfortable.

The Wales U21 international won a penlty, which was converted by Nathan Fairhurst for the equaliser, and then in display of marksmanship, went onto grab a double and ease the visitors' woes.

Dean Saunders returned to the dugout at Borough Park and made a number of changes as the side turned out to face Blue Square North opponents Workington in Cumbria.

With future games in mind, the boss left out his mainline strike force, with Patrick Suffo and Jon Brown playing up front, while Silvio Spann came in at right back and Neil Taylor switched to the left side.

In midfield, new signing Christian Gyan was given his debut alongside Nathan Fairhurst.

On four minutes, the Wrexham Blues broke down the right as Fairhurst set Ryan Flynn free, the Liverpool man got to the line and crossed into the path of Jon Brown, who only had the keeper to beat from four yards, but got the ball muddled up in his feet and didn't even test Adam Collin.

A quick chase by Woolfe saw him cover some 30-yards before crossing the ball and drive it against the chest of Kyle May, shouts for handball from the travelling fans, 'No' said Mr Halliday, with the second cross just a bit too high for Flynn at the back post.

A Spann corner on 18 minutes was met by Steve Evans and only a goal line clearance by ex-Carlisle man Shaun Vipond stopped the ball going in at the back post.

Some lovely possession play by Wrexham saw them move the ball out of defence and finally set up a chance at the other end, when Gyan saw his shot from 22-yards charged down on 27 minutes.

Workington passed up a great chance after the ball had gone through Steve Evan's legs on two minutes later, with Anthony Wright failing to hit the target with Gavin Ward forced to scramble across his goalmouth.

Then moments later a straight ball over the top beat Evans and left Johnny Wright with only the keeper to beat, but Ward had come quickly off his line, narrowed the angle and forced the striker to stab his effort just wide of the far post.

The home side were gaining in confidence as Suffo lost the ball in midfield and May pushed forward before firing in an effort that Ward tipped over for a corner.

Evans was pushing his luck on several occasions and got a last warning on 35 minutes, when he jumped over Johnny Wright and left the forward in a heap on the ground.

From a throw in on 38 minutes Silvio slipped and gave the ball away which freed Johnny Wright, but once again Ward was equal to the task and batted the striker's shot away.

Evans then produced a tremendous 40-yard cross to set Wolfe away down the left wing, his cross saw Suffo force Tony Hopper to clear his line when it looked as if Wrexham must score. The ball was not away from the danger zone and Gyan's acrobatic effort was hooked just wide of the left hand upright.

When Workington pushed forward they were finding chances and this was helping their confidence grew, meaning that despite Wrexham enjoying plenty of possession, a goal could come at either end.

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The second half started with Vipond slipping a lovely ball through the Wrexham back line and freeing Johnny Wright, but he failed to extend Ward with a shot that spun wide of the target.

As the minutes passed the game swung from end to end, with Fairhurst forced to concede a corner when denying Wright, while Woolfe's cross just failed to reach either Brown or Woolfe.

The first yellow card came on the hour with Neil Taylor caught McLuckie after a cross field ball from Gyan left the full back exposed.

Then Saunders sent on Louis and Marc Williams, with Suffo and Woolfe leaving the action, while Brown switched back to his more familiar wide role.

A second yellow went to Spann for a silly foul on McLuckie, when the full back also accidentally caught the Workington man in the head as he lay on the ground. Then it was Gyan's turn to be booked for bringing down McLuckie on the half way line.

From that free kick Spann was beaten in the air by Wright and then May met the ball with a header that sailed over the bar.

Having looked so good Ward's poor ball out to Taylor was never going to reach him and as Arnison crossed McLuckie was denied by Evans, but the ball ran free and Johnny Wright was able to pick his spot on 74 minutes to break the deadlock.

On 78 minutes, the Blues got out of jail as Marc Williams was felled in the box by Rowntree to give the referee no opportunity but to award the penalty.

As Jeffo looked to take ball, Nathan Fairhurst made sure he was first to it and from the spot sent Collin the wrong way for the equaliser.

The last sub for Wrexham saw Sam Williamson sent on for Spann, with Taylor going to right back on 82 minutes.

The game was turned on its head on two minutes later, when Brown's left sided corner carried to Marc Williams and the striker's downward header evaded the keeper before bouncing up and into the back of the net between two defenders.

Marc Williams finally decided the result then on 86 minutes, when Brown escaped on the right flank and did well to pick out the striker in front of goal, who fired high into the net at the near post.

With four minutes of added time shown, the visitors were happy to play out the remaining seconds and move in to the last eight of the Trophy - although great praise to Workington who deserved better on the day.

Workington: Adam Collin, Andrew Langford, Gari Rowntree (Jack Dorney 87), Kyle May, Lee Andrews, Phil McLuckie, Shaun Vipond, Tony Hopper, Johnny Wright, Gareth Arnison, Anthony Wright (Andrew Hardman 87).
Subs: Dan Robinson, Richard Anane, Paul Lloyd.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Gavin Ward, Silvio Spann (Sam Williamson 82), Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor, Nathan Fairhurst, Christian Gyan, Ryan Flynn, Nathan Woolfe (Marc Williams 63), Patrick Suffo (Jefferson Louis 63), Jon Brown.
Subs: Darran Kempson, Andy Fleming.

Referee: A Halliday (Catterick)
Attendance: 1,029
Away: 200ish

Bookings:
Wrexham: Taylor (62, foul), Spann (66, foul), Gyan (72, foul)