Wrexham returned to the top of the Vanarama National League table as Ollie Palmer, Aaron Hayden and Paul Mullin all added to their goal tallies in a win away to Scunthorpe United.

Palmer broke the deadlock during a dominant first-half spell for the visitors, and Hayden headed in the second.

Jai Rowe pulled a goal back for Scunthorpe before the break, but Mullin’s tap in – his 16^th goal of the season in all competitions – sealed victory.

With Wrexham in their white shirts for the first time this season, Phil Parkinson made two changes to the starting line-up with Palmer and Bryce Hosannah both returning.

It meant Sam Dalby dropping to the bench, while Anthony Forde missed out with the injury that forced him off against Oldham.

Both sides traded long balls early on, before the first big chance of the game fell to Mullin on 11 minutes.

Ben Tozer went forward for a throw-in, but took it short to Elliot Lee and crossed from the return ball, only for an unmarked Mullin to head over from six yards.

Wrexham really started to turn the screw just before the 20-minute mark, however, forcing Marcus Dewhurst into a pair of fine saves.

First, Luke Young charged through the middle and, when his pass to Palmer was blocked, ran onto the loose ball to half-volley goalwards on his left foot.

Dewhurst acrobatically tipped that effort over, but his second save was even better. From the resultant corner, Jordan Tunnicliffe headed the ball down, and Dewhurst somehow scooped it up and over the bar.

The pressure told on 21 minutes, however, when Mullin charged down and clearance and crossed for Palmer, who’s scuffed finish wrong-footed Dewhurst and rolled in.

Tunnicliffe went close again on 24 minutes, as Wrexham looked to press home their advantage – his glancing header from Tozer’s throw-in being cleared off the line at the back post.

Jones and Mullin then exchanged passes in the 25^th minute, before the midfielder shot goalwards but his effort lacked the power to test Dewhurst.

Lee was next to try his luck, taking over after Callum McFadzean was bundled over on 27 minutes, but his curling, right-footed effort was just over.

Wrexham did double their lead on 32 minutes, however, with Hayden heading in yet another goal – his ninth of the season. The centre-back rose highest to meet Young’s deep free-kick and nod in.

It was a period of total dominance from Wrexham, but their work was undone slightly on 42 minutes by some slack defending at the back post.

McFadzean was guilty of switching off, and Jai Rowe was the man to profit as he finished low beyond Mark Howard to end the Red Dragons’ run of clean sheets.

The second-half was less frenetic, though Scunthorpe looked the more likely to score initially – both Aaron Hayden and substitute Liam McAlinden making vital blocks in the Wrexham area.

The latter in particular kept Wrexham ahead, with Mason O’Malley’s shot otherwise destined for the bottom corner.

Good pressing by Palmer and Mullin in the 63^rd minute eased the pressure, however, and Wrexham took full advantage.

Young lofted a shot goalwards on 64 minutes that looped just over, and McFadzean went even closer five minutes later – his vicious 20-yard shot clattering the far post.

McFadzean was central to the third goal when it did arrive on 70 minutes, however. The wing-back read the ball well to head an awkward bouncing ball forward, and continued his run to receive Lee’s through ball and cross low for Mullin to tap in at the back post.

Wrexham could have added to their lead too, with Palmer’s left-footed volley flashing just wide across goal in the 80^th minute.

Moments later, Mullin was just inches away from reaching Palmer’s cross to steer the ball in at the back post and the former spun well and fired over in the 82^nd minute.

Mullin was replaced by Sam Dalby for the final few minutes, and the latter's fierce strike was parried clear by Dewhurst in the first minute of stoppage time.

Rob Apter nearly pulled one back in the 94th minute, but Howard tipped his curling left-footed effort onto the underside of the bar and Wrexham resisted some late pressure to celebrate victory.

The Red Dragons now sit top of the table, taking advantage of Notts County's draw with Southend United on Tuesday to leapfrog the Magpies.

Line-ups

Scunthorpe United: Dewhirst, Ntlhe (Young 37), Boyce, Taft, O’Malley, Beestin, Lavery, Butterfield, Apter, Nuttall, Rowe (Carver 75)

Subs not used: Foster, Wilson, Pugh

Wrexham AFC: (3-4-1-2): Howard, Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe, Hosannah (McAlinden 60), J.Jones, Young, McFadzean, Lee (O'Connor 78), Mullin (Dalby 88), Palmer

Subs not used: Lainton, J.Davies

Referee: Garreth Rhodes

Attendance: 3,569 (807 Wrexham)

Bookings: Wrexham - Luke Young; Scunthorpe - Caolan Lavery