SAM RICKETTS described Wrexham’s performance in the opening 20 minutes against Eastleigh as their best spell of the season.

Wrexham built up a 2-0 lead following a quick-fire opening, Manny Smith and an own goal putting the Reds in control of the contest at The Silverlake Stadium.

Although Eastleigh went down to 10 men in the second half, they pulled a goal back but Mike Fondop’s late strike ensured Wrexham remain unbeaten and top of the National League.

Ricketts was happy to make it 13 points from a possible 15 with the early display earning particular praise.

“I am delighted with the result, really pleased,” said Ricketts.

“It wasn’t an easy game, Eastleigh aren’t a bad side to be fair to them.

“They are a decent side and have had a few good result recently, some really good players in the team and a couple I played with I know have played at Championship level.

“I was asking my lads questions before the game whether they could answer a few and they certainly did.

“The first 20 minutes was the best we have played this season so far.”

Both of the opening two goals came from free-kicks sent into the box by Luke Summerfield and Ricketts said: “He has got fantastic ability.

“His set-piece delivery – him, Jordan Maguire-Drew and Luke Young – have all got great ability in that area.

“For the first 20 minutes we played with real control and discipline which I was asking before the game and that is the best we have done.”

Eastleigh, who won their previous two games, reduced the deficit in the 68th minute after substitute Andrew Boyce was given his marching orders.

It was the first goal Wexham conceded after beginning the season with four clean sheets for the first time in the club’s history, and gave Eastleigh a glimmer of hope, but Fondop’s fourth goal in five outings made sure of victory.

Ricketts felt Wrexham should have put the game to bed before Eastleigh breached the Reds’ mean defence.

“Of course it is disappointing, I never want to concede a goal,” said Ricketts.

“It is more in the context of the game I didn’t want to concede a goal if I am being honest.

“They have gone down to 10 men and we should be killing the game off there. We have to get better at that.

“We have to get better at controlling games and killing games off. With 10 men, they shouldn’t be getting back in and making us scrap until we get the third goal.

“So in the context of the game I was more disappointed with us losing our clean sheet record.”

Wrexham are preparing for a double header over the bank holiday weekend, Saturday's home game against Bromley followed by the trip to Solihull Moors 48 hours later.

“It has been a really tough first 15 days, five games in such a short space of time," added Ricketts.

“In a squad which some have played all the games, I have tried to rotate it a little bit and now we go into a really busy bank holiday weekend.

“Saturday-Monday is a really big ask on any squad but it will be a big ask on ours.

“It is about making sure that we stick to our standards.

“It is brilliant that we have actually got a week to work on stuff now in training and make sure we are ready to go again next Saturday."