Wrexham top dogs after Rutherford strike

WREXHAM went top of the National League last night after beating Solihull Moors at the Racecourse – while leaders Dover crashed at Dagenham.

Midfielder Paul Rutherford, on his 400th senior career appearance, was ultimately the match-winner for the Dragons, netting six minutes before the break as Dean Keates’ men recorded a third straight victory and clean sheet.

Boss Keates named an unchanged side from the one that beat Ebbsfleet United 2-0 on Saturday while they went into the game having suffered just one defeat in 15 National League games.

Alex Reid had a chance to break the deadlock in the seventh minute when he headed just wide after Wrexham’s first real foray forward.

The lively on-loan Fleetwood man then nearly had another sight of goal six minutes later after Marcus Kelly’s cross into the Solihull box, but he was unable to get on the end of it.

Wrexham certainly looked the more likely and they duly opened the scoring on 39 minutes.

WREXHAM ..................................... 1 SOLIHULL MOORS ........................ 0

And it was scored by Rutherford on his landmark night, as he looped the ball into to the corner beyond helpless keeper Nick Townsend who, under pressure from striker Chris Holroyd, had punched the ball straight out to him on the edge of the box.

It was his third goal in Wrexham colours but his first in front of the Wrexham faithful.

Rutherford then very nearly turned provider just after the break with an excellent ball into the box but, with Reid set for an easy tap-in, Fiacre Kelleher produced an excellent last-ditch challenge.

Moments later Holroyd found himself clean through on goal but Townsend raced out and just got to the ball first.

Despite relentless Wrexham pressure, they were given an almighty let off when George Carline drove the ball across goal.