Ollie Palmer’s second-half effort was the difference in a tightly contested game against a well-organised Southend side, as Wrexham ran out 1-0 winners.
Palmer took his goal well, as Jordan Davies whipped in a superb cross which the striker tucked away into the bottom corner.
It was a closely contested affair, with neither side taking control of the game, but the quality and composure from Wrexham proved to be vital.
Phil Parkinson named one change to the side that hit Weymouth for six in midweek, with Reece Hall-Johnson coming in for the injured Aaron Hayden.
The game started with both sides trying to impose their game on each other, but both were evenly matched.
The half started to finally open up with the visitors getting the first shot on goal minutes before the break, as Bridge’s chance was tamely hit at Dibble.
The Red Dragons came close to breaking the deadlock moments later with Tyler French latching onto McAlinden’s through ball, but his effort was saved well by Arnold.
Jordan Davies nearly got his 21st goal of the season as his curled shot just went wide of the Southend stoppers net.
Parkinson’s side started the second period as they did at Weymouth, and opened the scoring through Ollie Palmer, who finished cooly past Arnold.
Paul Mullin had a chance to try to double the Reds' lead in a counter-attack that saw him and Palmer marauding towards the shrimpers defence, but a rare heavy touch took it away from him.
Mullin had another opportunity to make it two, as he rose well to win a header from McAlinden’s cross, but it went just wide of the post.
Southend had their chances too, and Harry Cardwell forced Dibble into a superb save to keep Wrexham ahead.
Palmer nearly doubled his tally for the game, with an audacious strike from his own half, but his shot bounced just wide with Arnold way beaten on his way back from the corner.
Wrexham are back in action on Monday away from home against Boreham Wood!
Wrexham: Dibble, Hall-Johnson (Hosannah 68’), French, Tozer, Cleworth, McAlinden, Young ©, Jones, Davies ( O’Connor 84’), Mullin (Ponitcelli 87’), Palmer
Subs not used: Camp and Jarvis
Southend: Arnold, Davies (Atkinson 54’), Hobson, Kensdale, Gubbins, Demetriou ©, Bridge, Neal, Dunne (Dennis 80’), Dalby, Cardwell (Powell 73’)
Subs not used: Gard and White
Attendence 9,269