ON paper it looks like another heavy defeat for the Wrexham second string, with 17 goals conceded in their last four matches, but in reality it was a much improved performance, especially in the second half at Woodley Sports FC's ground against Stockport County.

The Hatters raced into a two-goal advantage with Danny Newby cutting in off the wing to score after just seven minutes and then giant centre forward Matt Bailey doubling their lead on 33 minutes, when he nipped in front of goalkeeper Danny Evans to tap home from a free kick just after the half hour mark.

An injury to winger Matty Done overshadowed proceedings with the Oswestry based player landing awkwardly on his hip and needed lengthy attention on the pitch before being removed on a stretcher to the dressing rooms. His replacement was our only available substitute Marc Williams.

Joey's half time team talk certainly did the trick, in as far as we saw a much different Wrexham approach after the interval.

Williams pushed forward to assist striker Juan Ugarte and Jamie Reed, and the Reds were a much more potent threat to the County defence.

Yet it was the home side who score the next goal with Michael Byrne netting on 52 minutes, although this sparked off a goal rash.

Mark Harris delivered a log ball to the edge of the Stockport box for Williams to head down and Juan Ugarte crashed the ball home from 17 yards with a thunderous effort that left home keeper Sam McEwan grasping at thin air.

The Spaniard looked to have grabbed a second moments later, when his flick on appeared to have been McEwan again, but he was unlucky to only find the side netting.

With Wrexham committed to attack, the Hatters caught off guard at the back and Michael Bryne was adjudged to have had his effort cross the line, despite some acrobatics by keeper Evans.

The Welsh custodian made a number of good saves to prevent County from adding to their total, while at the other end Kieran Quinn, Levi Mackin, Williams, Ugarte and Reed all went close to giving the scoreline some measure of respectability.

Wrexham: Danny Evans, Mark Harris, Kev Williams, Liam Jones, Graham Roche, Levi Mackin, Kieran Quinn, Mark Jones, Jamie Reed, Juan Ugarte, Matty Done (Marc Williams 27).