Asa Hall’s first-half header was enough to seal all three points for Torquay United as Wrexham suffered their fifth away league defeat of the season.
Hall’s goal inside the first ten minutes saw the United skipper rise above the Wrexham defence and head home past Rob Lainton.
Wrexham dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes, but could not find their cutting edge in front of goal in what was a frustrating afternoon for the travelling 790 Wrexham fans.
The defeat sees the Red Dragons drop down to seventh, four points ahead of Notts County who have two games in hand.
Phil Parkinson made three changes to the side that were narrowly denied victory last weekend against Maidenhead.
Bryce Hosannah returned from a short period of injury, Jordan Ponticelli replaced the suspended Paul Mullin and Tom O’Connor made his debut, coming in for Jordan Davies – unavailable due to COVID-19.
Wrexham started brightly, creating problems for the Torquay backline, with Reece Hall-Johnson’s cross met by Palmer, but his shot was blocked and hit over the bar.
But the Gulls took the lead eight minutes into the contest, as a dubious free kick was taken by Amari Little, and his delivery was well headed past Lainton by Asa Hall.
Parkinson’s side came close to levelling twice, as Jones had a long-range half volley blocked which fell to Palmer, but his shot too was blocked and cleared away by the Torquay defence.
The Reds continued to knock on the door of the Torquay backline, as Cleworth’s shot inside the six-yard box was deflected wide and out for a corner.
They started the better of the two sides in the second period too with captain Luke Young rifling a volley at MacDonald who parried it over the bar.
Jones threatened MacDonald’s goal ten minutes into the half, with a strongly hit shot from distance but once again the Torquay stopper managed to divert his effort.
Palmer started asking questions of United’s defence too as he won the ball back well on the halfway line, drove towards the penalty area but dragged his shot wide of MacDonald's goal.
The hosts hadn’t created much since they took the lead in the eighth minute, but they never looked like giving up their goal advantage either as they sealed the victory – the first time Wrexham have failed to score away all season.
Wrexham AFC: Lainton(GK), Hall-Johnson, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth (Thomas 75’), Hosannah, O’Connor, Young ©, J. Jones (McAlinden 61’), Ponticelli (Angus 61), Palmer
Subs not used: Dibble and French
Bookings: Ponticelli (22’), Tozer (87’)
Torquay: MacDonald, Wynter, Martin, Lapsile, Lemonheigh-Evans, Hall ©, Little (Holman 80’), Wearne, Duke-McKenna (Omar 88’), Moxey, Lewis
Subs not used: Halstead, Johnson, Felix
Bookings: Moxey (37’), (Wearne 69’), Lapsile(83’)
Attendance: 3181 (790 Wrexham fans)