Wrexham continue to suggest that they will be in the hunt for promotion back to the Football League this season.
Having drawn with Championship duo Preston and Coventry, Dean Saunders’ outfit defeated the richest club in the world’s second string to convince everyone that his assembled squad is gelling together nicely.
Marc Williams, Ashley Westwood, Gareth Taylor, Simon Brown, and Steve Abbott missed out through injury and illness, but Saunders was able to call upon Jamie McCluskey and those who served him well on Tuesday.
Much like Tuesday night against Preston North End, Wrexham began in positive fashion, passing and moving the ball around neatly.
Mansour Assoumani, who grabbed his first goal for the club earlier in the week, lifted the crowd after just four minutes as he intercepted a stray pass and charged in to the City half, unfortunately the move was snuffed out.
Just one minute later Glyn Hodges’ side nearly edged their noses in front.
A corner by Donal McDermott found the shin of Karl Moore as he evaded a challenge from Assoumani and his goal bound effort was hacked clear by Andy Fleming on the line.
It was Wrexham’s turn to attack next and Mark Jones’ raking pass found the lively Neil Taylor hugging the left touchline.
Taylor played a clever ball round the corner to Matty Wolfenden, who found the advancing Fleming with a first time lay-off, but again the home side could not capitalise as his effort bobbled wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.
Wolfenden went even closer 60 seconds later. Taylor collected a pass from Pole Adrian Cieslewicz and fired a teasing ball in to the City box to the new signing, but he was off balance and screwed a chance wide.
Taboubi was next to try his luck from distance, picking up the ball and firing wide after neat interplay between prominent duo Taylor and Fleming.
Wrexham continued to push forward and won a free-kick midway in the City half after the sizeable Clayton McDonald had dragged down Wolfenden.
Silvio Spann, again playing on the right of defence, took the free-kick and his effort nearly bamboozled Schmeichel as it dipped just over the visitors’ crossbar.
Hodges’ side then had a penalty appeal turned down as James Poole’s acrobatic attempt on goal was blocked by the arm of Fleming, happily for Saunders’ side Mr Jones waved away protests.
The deadlock was eventually broken midway through the opening 45 minutes as City won a penalty kick.
The spot kick could have been prevented as Assoumani and Spann dawdled after a hopeful long punt forward and Robbie Mak nipped in ahead of them, Chris Maxwell went for the ball but he only got his man.
Poole calmly fired low to Maxwell’s right, sending the young goalkeeper the wrong way.
Wrexham were knocked out of their stride having slipping behind and City nearly extended their lead six minutes later.
The influential McDermott drifted in from his wide left position and picked up a lose ball midway through the Wrexham half.
He was afforded too much time before sliding a ball between Assoumani and Spann to Mak, Maxwell came out to narrow the angle and the striker saw his lofted effort clear the cross bar.
Jones then fired a warning shot for Wrexham after good work from Taboubi, but it was not enough to please Saunders as he changed formation from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 with Cieslewicz moving out right and Taylor playing wide left of a three man central trio of Jones, Taboubi, and Fleming.
In an end-to-end encounter, the visiting side were next on the attack as Mike Williams’ poor cross-field pass sold Assoumani short and Mak nipped in to charge through on goal.
Assoumani tried his best to put him off and Mak ended up firing weakly at Maxwell in what proved to be the final move of the first half.
Wes Baynes entered the action at the break with Wolfenden making way, and the right-sided player made an immediate impact.
Wrexham won a free-kick 25-yards from goal and Baynes, who scored a screamer against Wolves last pre-season, planted his effort past the wall and in to the left top corner of Schmeichel’s net.
City were left reeling from the equaliser and 10 minutes later Saunders’ men had taken the lead through another well executed set piece.
Taylor had forced Schmeichel to turn away his right-footed curler for a corner, before Spann’s superb flag kick found Assoumani, and he scored his second goal in four days.
Taylor made way shortly after the goal and just before a series of ‘handbags’ in the centre circle as City flexed their muscles.
The away side went close through substitute David Ball, while Baynes fired a 35-yard free-kick wide of the right upright after sub Obi Anoruo was fouled by McDonald.
Pressure on the Wrexham goal forced them deeper and deeper, but for long periods they were happy to play on the break with Anoruo, Baynes, and fellow replacement McCluskey showing their pace.
Abdi Ibrahim was showing his mean side in the middle of the pitch after entering the action and Nathan Fairhurst and Jones felt the force of his enthusiasm as they took blows, although both were able to dust themselves down and continue.
The latter stages passed without much action as multiple changes disrupted the rhythm, but Saunders will be pleased with the defending from his side.
Baynes saw another set-piece hit the wall before the referee brought an end to proceedings.