A first win forWrexham

MAIDENHEAD .................. 1 WREXHAM ........................ 2

WREXHAM are up and running in the National League after goals in each half from Manny Smith and Ntumba Massanka earned them victory over newly-promoted Maidenhead United at York Street.

Smith opened the scoring in the first half for Dean Keates’ side with his first goal since re-joining the club from Gateshead, before Dave Tarpey levelled for last season’s National League South champions.

But the Dragons would not be denied and it was on-loan Burnley man Massanka who grabbed the winner 13 minutes from time for Wrexham who, in what was Maidenhead’s first-ever home game at this level, spoiled the party.

Keates, who had demanded a reaction from his players, was forced into one chance from the side that started Saturday’s disappointing opening day defeat by Macclesfield at the Racecourse.

New singing Chris Holroyd missed out with the shoulder injury he picked up in the first half of that match and was replaced up front by Massanka.

In what was a fiercely competitive opening to the game, both sides had early half-chances.

As the visitors put pressure on, Scott Boden and Marcus Kelly were both denied while at the other end, keeper Chris Dunn produced a good save from a Harold Odametey shot with the follow-up then blocked and cleared for a corner which came to nothing.

Wrexham then did have a good chance to take the lead on the halfhour mark when ex-Newport County striker Boden produced a shot from the edge of the box that had to be palmed away for a corner by home keeper Carl Pentney.

The visitors then took the lead five minutes before the break through Smith, who headed home from an inch-perfect Kelly freekick.

But Maidenhead hit back almost instantly when, after Ryan Upward’s initial effort, the ball fell to Tarpey inside the box and he smashed it past Dunn to make it 1-1.

The hosts began the second half on top with Dunn called into action to stop James Comley putting them in front.

Wrexham re-took the lead 13 minutes from time through sub Massanka and it proved decisive.