WREXHAM ran out comfortable 4-0 winners against Nantwich Town at The Weaver Stadium last night but they were given a few scares along the way.
While Wrexham built up a 2-0 lead at the break, Evo-Stik Premier League outfit Nantwich also had chances of their own to add to the scoreline in an open first half, giving a good account of themselves with their neat passing football.
But it was one way traffic in the second half as Wrexham put their hosts under increased pressure and added another two goals to their tally.
Dean Saunders took the opportunity to use 23 players, with the starting line-up given the majority of time on the pitch.
Saunders opted to field a young side for the first half, with the more senior squad members watching from the stand.
They made their bow during the second half and are likely to be given more time in tonight's friendly against Preston North End at The Racecourse as the battle hots up for a place in the side for the Conference opener with Cambridge United.
Kai Edwards began the game in midfield and he threaded an excellent fifth minute ball through for Marc Williams who saw his cross only partially cleared and Jay Harris' 18-yard volley just cleared the bar.
Wrexham were doing most of the pressing and diving Nantwich keeper Ben Chapman was forced to punch Harris' cross clear after 17 minutes with Williams ready to pounce, while Nantwich countered with former Reds trialist Rodney Jack bringing a comfortable save out of keeper Chris Maxwell.
The game contrinued to swing from end to an end, Edwards failing to hit the target with a free header from Curtis Obeng's centre while Nantwich went closer when Michael Lennon put Ashley Carter through on goal but a fantastic sliding challenge by trialist Cameron Mawer meant the ball deflected narrowly wide for a corner.
Wrexham had a lucky escape when Jack's drive was turned onto the post by the foot of defender Mawer and although the loose ball was turned over the line, the goal was disallowed for offside.
However, it was Wrexham who took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. Edwards' free-kick caused problems in the Nantwich defence and Wes Baynes did well to find the net by lobbing keeper Chapman.
And Wrexham doubled their lead nine minutes later as Williams raced onto Harris through ball and slotted past the advancing Chapman.
Maxwell did well to deny Lennon at the other end while Mawer somehow steered a close range header over the bar from Baynes' corner.
Saunders made one change for the start of the second half with goalkeeper Scott Shearer, who became the ninth new signing of the summer after joining on a two-year deal the previous day, taking over from Maxwell.
While Wrexham had a host of substitutes warming up, those playing would have wanted to make the most of their time on the pitch and Harris certainly did that on 49 minutes.
Harris, who has joined Wrexham after serving a one-year suspension for his involvement in a betting scandal, cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable 25 yard drive that found the top corner of the net.
With Wrexham more dominant after the break, they took a 4-0 lead in the 60th minute. Adrian Cieslewicz scuffed his shot but the ball fell into the path of Andy Mangan and he tucked the ball past a helpless Jason Astbury.
By the 61st minute, Saunders had changed the entire line-up but Wrexham continued to pour forward and both Mangan and Gareth Taylor were denied in quick succession by Astbury.
Nantwich almost reduced the deficit when Kyle Blake's shot hit Chris Blackburn and fell nicely for Carter but Shearer produced an excellent save to deny the striker.
Sam Madeley struck a post in injury time for Nantwich but Wrexham ran out convincing winners.
NANTWICH TOWN (4-4-2) : Chapman (Astbury 55); Kirkham-Stubbs, Flynn, Tinson, Kiss (Tickle 46); Jack (Mahmoud 55), Sedgemore (Griggs 46), Blake, Carr; Carter
(Madeley 81), Lennon (Robinson 67).
WREXHAM (4-3-3): Maxwell (Shearer 46); Obeng (Walker 59), Mawer (Sinclair 59), Smith (Keates 61), Hunt (Ashton 59); Harris (Gall 61), Tolley (Morrell 61), Edwards (Blackburn 59); Cieslewicz (Brown 61) Baynes (Mangan 50, Knight-Percival 84), Williams (Taylor 61).
Referee: Andrew Cawtherley.