DEAN SAUNDERS believes Wrexham produced a professional performance to overcome Hayes and Yeading 3-0 at Church Road on Saturday.

After a scoreless first half where there were few chances at either end, Wrexham went on to score three goals after the break to pick up a first win in three games.

Victory means Wrexham have climbed up to eighth place in the Conference table, three points away from the play-offs, and Saunders was pleased with his side’s determined display.

“It was a good professional performance,” he said. “We knew it was going to be difficult as they are a good team who were only four points behind us.

“They have lost one in the last five, don’t let many goals in and knew it was going to be a tough game. First half was a bit of a stalemate, we tried to pressure them and stop them playing.

“They are a good team – they have got some good movement and their two centre backs have done well for them.

“We were effective today. It has taken me a while to try and get the formula right to get out of this league and when you come to grounds like this that is what has got to happen.”

Wrexham broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Andy Mangan set up Jay Harris for the midfielder's second goal of the campaign.

Substitute Adrian Cieslewicz netted his first senior goal with five minutes remaining after good work from Gareth Taylor who struck himself for the third time this season in stoppage time.

And Saunders had belief Wrexham would eventually get among the goals.

“Andy Mangan kept getting down the left hand side and getting at their right back,” added Saunders.

“We had a couple of close shaves in the first half, flashing one across the goal which should have been a tap in and then he got in again, did the hard bit and didn’t find a player in the box.

“Eventually he did it and he has got it to Jay who is in the right place in the six yard box.

“They had to throw a few men further forward so I put Adrian on hoping that we could catch them on the break, which we did.

“It’s nice to score three goals and keep a clean sheet but I would have taken 1-0. We have got to keep collecting points and we are still gelling together as a group but they worked really hard and that is all I can ask for.

“They are working as hard as they can and I thought if we could just match them and stay with them then eventually we would score.”

Wrexham take a break from league action on Saturday when they host Southport in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

While he is taking the competition seriously, Saunders has not decided if he will change a winning team and give fringe players an opportunity.

“It is the FA Cup, which is great. I like it,” he added. “I’ve got a winner’s medal, so we have got to try and get as far as we can.

“I will have a think this week. We will give the players some time off to see if we can get some energy back into their legs before thinking about the team on Thursday.”