Two early goals from Ben Tozer and Ollie Palmer laid a foundation to help Wrexham beat Gateshead 3-1 and move up to second in the National League.
Although Owen Bailey reduced the deficit for Gateshead, a red card for Louis Storey would help Wrexham claim a third win in a row, with Paul Mullin adding his name to the scoresheet at the end of the game.
Wrexham flew straight out of the gates and pandemonium erupted in the Gateshead box, leading to Tozer’s slammed effort crossing the line.
Before Wrexham fans knew it, Palmer was chasing down a long-ball on the wing, before he cut inside to score a deflected effort past the stranded Dan Langley with 10 minutes gone.
Wrexham were in cruise control, but Phil Parkinson later admitted that his side took their ‘foot off the gas’ and failing to pick up Bailey on a corner kick would give the Heed a goal back out of nowhere.
With the game well set for the neutral, referee Daniel Middleton showed Gateshead’s Storey a second yellow card, after he brought down Anthony Forde. A decision which failed to dismantle Gateshead’s ethos in playing style.
The Tynesiders’ front-foot mantra continued throughout the second half, despite playing with 10 men for a large portion of the game.
Chances for Wrexham did start to rematerialise with the substitution of Jacob Mendy and the space he was finding inside the visitors' box.
Mark Howard’s performance in this match is what prevented a carbon-copy of the tense 3-2 win against 10-man Woking. Full-length saves to both sides of his body were remarkable, especially from the dangerous substitute Paul Blackett.
Robbie Tinkler’s ill-paced back-pass was the nail in the coffin regarding Gateshead’s comeback, as it allowed Mullin to pounce and slot the ball home to kill the game.
The victory cemented three wins on the bounce for the Red Dragons, with 11 goals scored in the process. Results such as these have taken Wrexham to second in the table, one point behind Chesterfield.
Palmer spoke after the game of the importance in winning games when you’re not quite at your best, implying there is more to come from this Wrexham side.
Wrexham will travel down to Dorking Wanderers this weekend, looking to further their winning run and put pressure on Chesterfield in top spot.