PAUL RUTHERFORD is driven by last season's failings and is determined to maintain a promotion challenge this term because he wants to win something with Wrexham.

The Reds go into tomorrow's game against Sutton United at Gander Green Lane sitting second in the National League, just one point behind leaders Harrogate Town, their opponents on Tuesday.

Rutherford helped Wrexham maintain a lofty position throughout 2017-18 but the Reds endured a dreadful run-in and missed out on the play-offs.

But the hurt of not making the top seven is only spurring Rutherford on to make sure Wrexham stay among the leading pack.

"We have got to learn the lessons from last season," said Rutherford.

"Unfortunately for us it did tail away but we have to draw from that experience to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

"Nobody wants to see a season end how it did last season and it is an extra motivation from me, but it is not something that I use to weigh me down.

"It is something I use to spur me on because I want to achieve something."

Wrexham have taken 24 points from the opening 11 games, losing just once at Solihull Moors.

The defence, which kept a club record 22 clean sheets last season, has been equally as stubborn but Wrexham possess more of an attacking threat, the Reds running riot with four first half goals in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Ebbsfleet.

Rutherford feels a good blend has developed under Ricketts.

"We've had a very good start and if you'd offered us this amount of points after 11 games, we'd have snapped your hand off," said Rutherford.

"We have seen a lot of positives. There have been a lot of goals compared to last season and are looking tight at the back again.

"We are finding the blend between attacking and defending quite well at the moment, so hopefully we can continue to improve and continue to replicate that first half on Saturday a lot more.

"We have got a difficult run of games coming up but we are all excited about the challenge."

Sutton play on a 4G pitch but although some of his team-mates don't like them, Rutherford has no qualms about switching to an artificial surface.

"It doesn't really affect me to be honest," said Rutherford.

"It is arguably a better surface than a lot of the pitches later in the season so it doesn't really bother me.

"I don't mind playing on 4G, fortunately I have never suffered with my joints on it, so it is fine for me.

"It is just another game to me and not an issue."

Rutherford hopes to retain his place in the side amid Ricketts' squad rotation policy against a Sutton side who were beaten 4-0 at home by Boreham Wood in midweek.

"You are always hoping that you start but the big thing is that we get the three points," added Rutherford.

"We are going to go there to take Sutton on. "We saw their result the other night, that can work against us in many ways that they have got a lot to prove in front of their home crowd again.

"If you are selected to start then you know that you have got a job to do and you want to get your job done."