SHAUN PEARSON scored the only goal as Wrexham won 1-0 against Braintree Town at Cressing Road.

Bottom of the table Braintree made a fight of it but Sam Ricketts' side continued their excellent start to the season in front of 22 visiting fans in Essex.

Captain Pearson's second half header kept Wrexham second in the National League and means the Reds took 21 points from the opening 10 matches.

The starting line-up showed four changes from the side that drew against Halifax.

With Mark Carrington missing through injury, Kevin Roberts returned at right-back while Stuart Beavon was preferred to Rekeil Pyke, who dropped to the substitutes bench, in attack.

The other two changes were in midfield. Brad Walker, brought in on loan from Crewe, was handed a debut in place of Akil Wright, who was named the National League player of the month for August the previous day, while Luke Young took over from Paul Rutherford.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening exchanges with Wrexham creating the first chance in the 16th minute, Jordan Maguire-Drew heading over the bar from James Jennings' cross.

Shaun Pearson also cleared the bar with a header following Luke Summerfield's corner but the Reds captain was caught in possession at the other end by Justin Amaluzar whose low drive was saved by Rob Lainton.

It was Braintree's first sight of goal but Wrexham promptly responded with Luke Summerfield's effort that was too high, while Young and Maguire-Drew also failed to hit the target.

Wrexham were getting into some superb positions and putting Braintree under pressure without really threatening a goal.

Maguire-Drew not getting enough power on a shot that was gathered by keeper Ben Killip following Summerfield's free-kick, and Maguire-Drew's cross was headed over by Mike Fondop.

Killip was finally tested one minute before the break when he saved Beavon's volley which was straight at him, and the goalkeeper parried Jennings' free-kick in added time but no Wrexham players were following in.

Wrexham made a lively start to the second period and Maguire-Drew tried his luck from just inside the Braintree half with Killip off the line but his shot just cleared the bar.

Pyke replaced Fondop on 51 minutes but Braintree almost took the lead in their next attack, Bettamer's drive turned behind by Lainton.

Dan Thompson headed over for the hosts while an Iron defender did well to clear the danger as Pyke attempted to get on the end of Roberts' dangerous cross.

Rutherford replaced Young and immediately centred for Pyke who headed wide.

There was an even better opportunity as Maguire-Drew played in Pyke who brought a superb save out of Killip, but Wrexham scored from the resulting corner in the 67th minute.

Summerfield took the set-piece and Pearson found the net with a bullet header from close range.

It was end to end as Braintree had a couple of half chances but failed to trouble Lainton while Wrexham pressed for a second goal.

Jennings' deflected effort was saved by Killip while Wright replaced Walker one minute from time in Wrexham's final change, and the Reds left with maximum points.

Braintree Town (4-2-3-1): Killip; James, Ellul (Grant 83), Nieskins, Gabriel; Lyons-Foster, Sagaf; Amaluzar, Allen (Crook 64), Bettamer; Thompson (Charles 68). Subs not used: Clark, Webber.

Wrexham (4-2-3-1): Lainton; Roberts, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings; Walker (Wright 89), Summerfield; Maguire-Drew, Young (Rutherford 60), Beavon; Fondop (Pyke 51). Subs not used: Dibble, Wright, Holroyd.

Referee Adrian Quelch.

Attendance: 802 (255 from Wrexham).