FOOTBALL

WREXHAM warmed up for their FA Cup second round replay at Newport County on Tuesday with a valuable Racecourse victory over south coast visitors Eastleigh who had won their previous five matches on the road.

A goal in each half secured the points that keep the Dragons very much in the National league promotion race and saw them halt a run of four games without a win, the home side getting off to a perfect start with a wind-assisted goal after only two minutes.

It was with more hope than expectation that defender James Jennings swung the ball in from the left touchline, but it swirled in the turbulent conditions and flew into the top corner much to the surprise of Spitfires’ keeper Max Stryjek.

The visitors were fortunate not to concede again on 25 minutes when a Jennings header was blocked with Akil Wright’s follow-up being cleared off the line and the Dragons’ midfielder then went close just after with a shot into the side-netting.

Eastleigh’s opportunities were scarce, the best falling to Ben Williamson, who on two occasions rose highest to crosses but was unable to put them on target, and Wright’s impressive display continued with Stryjek holding his drive three minutes before the break.

The Spitfires emerged for the second period with a great deal more purpose but the Dragons withstood a spell of pressure to break away and double their lead in the 59th minute.

Stuart Beavon led the charge, substitute Luke Young took over and he picked out recent loan signing Bobby Grant, who made no mistake from 15 yards to register his first Wrexham goal.

The home side really should have made the game safe 10 minutes later after Paul Rutherford made space on the right for a cross that was met by Beavon who somehow managed to head wide from eight yards.

Eastleigh suddenly looked a spent force and although there were opportunities twice in quick succession for Grant to double his tally, both his efforts failed to test Stryjek and at the other end, a rarely worked Rob Lainton easily gathered an Oscar Gobern snap shot. WREXHAM: Lainton; Roberts (Young 51), Lawlor, Smith, Jennings; Carrington, Wright, Summerfield; Rutherford, Beavon (Holroyd 81), Grant (Fondop 90). SUBS NOT USED: Deverdics. EASTLEIGH: Stryjek; Wynter, Boyce (Jones 76), Johnson; Hare, Gobern, Yeates, Hollands, Miley (Green 76); Williamson (Dennett 83), McCallum. SUBS NOT USED: Zebroski, Bearwish. REFEREE: Peter Gibbons. ATTENDANCE: 4,105 Dibble,