JAMES JENNINGS admits the disappointment of last season's failed promotion challenge still lingers but makes him even more determined to help Wrexham realise their dream.

Wrexham were top of the National League in February but the Reds endured a dreadful run-in and missed out on the play-offs.

Jennings, who won automatic promotion from this division with Mansfield in 2012-13, says the frustration of not making the top seven will only spur him to be successful when Wrexham kick-off an 11th campaign in non-league.

"I got promoted out of this league with Mansfield as champions so I know what it takes to be up there," said Jennings.

"Being at Wrexham now, that is what everyone wants to achieve.

"I think we are still a little bit disappointed that we did not make the play-offs last season.

"It was a disappointing end to the season but that proves even more for us this season to make sure that we are up there.

"There is fire in the belly there to make sure that we achieve it."

Jennings is pleased with the way pre-season has gone under new Reds boss Sam Ricketts but can't wait for the new campaign to start.

"We know where we fell short last season, there has been some good additions to the team and with the new gaffer coming in, he has got his own philosophy, his own style of play," said Jennings.

"It is up to us now to implement that as players.

"Pre-season has been good. There has been a lot of hard work put into it, not necessarily all on running but more trying to get used to how the gaffer wants us to play.

"I can't wait for the season to start."

Jennings was denied a second promotion from this level two years ago as he was in the Forest Green side beaten 3-1 by Grimsby Town in the play-off final at Wembley.

"I think the best way to get promotion is winning it at Wembley in the play-off final but it is a bit more stressful!" said Jennings, who comes up against former club Forest Green at The Racecourse tomorrow in Wrexham's final friendly.

"You are not guaranteed to win, it took Tranmere a couple of years to achieve that.

"They went into last season's final with a bit more experience of being beaten there the previous season.

"It was a lot easier when we won the league for Mansfield."

Jennings joined Forest Green from Mansfield in June 2014 but the left-back suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season, keeping him out of action for eight months.

His return came in the play-off semi-final second leg defeat against Bristol Rovers, who went onto win promotion, and Jennings admits there were mixed emotions during his two seasons at The New Lawn.

"It was a bit up and down from start to finish," added Jennings.

"I signed there and the objective was to get promotion, and a week before the season started I did my cruciate.

"I spent near enough the whole season out, managing to get back for the second leg of the semi-final at Bristol Rovers.

"It was a bit of a nightmare start for me and in my second season we made the play-off final.

"A good season, being out for a season it was good for me to get back playing a lot of games.

"Did well but ultimately got beat in the final by Grimsby at Wembley so that a disappointing end to my two years there."