WREXHAM picked up a first ever win against Dover Athletic at the ninth attempt.

The Reds triumphed 1-0 at The Crabble on the opening day of the National League campaign, with Mike Fondop getting the only goal.

It meant manager Sam Ricketts picked up a victory in his first ever league game in charge of Wrexham, who are spending an 11th season in non-league.

Wrexham had their first sight of goal in the seventh minute but Luke Young dragged his shot wide of the target.

But Dover almost took the lead in their first meaningful attack, Jamie Allen's effort from the edge of the area striking the bar with goalkeeper Rob Lainton well beaten.

Manny Smith headed into the sidenetting for Wrexham and Fondop ran at goal past two defenders before firing harmlessly wide.

Nice build-up play from Wrexham led to Luke Summerfield taking down Paul Rutherford's crossfield pass and feeding Young who was wide of the mark with his shot.

However, Wrexham took the lead after 29 minutes after winning a corner, Fondop's acrobatic volley from Kevin Roberts' cross found the back of the net.

Dover won a penalty just before half-time after Akil Wright brought down Inih Effiong in the area but the striker's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by keeper Lainton.

The hosts made a bright start to the second half but were being kept out by Wrexham who were quick to counter and Summerfield's free-kick was spilled by keeper Mitch Walker, the ball going out for a corner.

Ricketts made his first change on 58 minutes with Jordan Maguire-Drew replacing Stuart Beavon, and Wrexham continued to have the upper hand.

The Reds needed a second goal and Walker claimed Summerfield's dangerous free-kick but Dover began to apply pressure as they pressed for an equaliser.

However, Wrexham came close to a second goal as Shaun Pearson's header from Summerfield's corner was cleared off the line, while Rekeil Pyke and Mark Carrington replaced Fondop and Paul Rutherford in the final 10 minutes.

Dover wept probing and Wrexham had a let-off in the closing exchanges as Allen's goal was ruled out following a foul on Lainton, who had spilled a cross into the box.

Dover Athletic (3-5-2): Walker; Lokko, Essam, Schmoll; Passley, Nortey, Brundle, Gomis (Daniel 74), Connors; Effiong (Diarra 90), Allen. Subs not used: Okosieme, Lewington, Smith.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Lainton; Roberts, Manny Smith, Pearson, Jennings; Summerfield, Wright, Young; Rutherford (Carrington 83), Fondop (Pyke 81), Beavon (Maguire-Drew 58). Subs not used: Dibble, Tharme.

Referee: David Rock,

Attendance: 1,359 (312 from Wrexham).