JAKE LAWLOR wants to draw a line under his brief spell with Salford City and help Wrexham maintain their promotion challenge.

The 27-year-old centre-back has joined the Reds on a two-year deal from National League rivals Salford City for an undisclosed fee and is in line to make his debut in tonight's top of the table clash against Halifax Town at The Racecourse.

An almost ever present during his five year spell at Guiseley, Lawlor was snapped up by big spending Salford in the summer but found opportunities limited.

Manager Sam Ricketts was keen to bring in defensive cover after seeing Manny Smith suffer a knee injury and Lawlor jumped at the chance to sign for Wrexham.

"I heard about it at the beginning of the week and obviously I was interested straight away," said Lawlor.

"It is a massive club and I just want to be playing.

"It hasn't worked out at Salford, I haven't been there that long but the opportunity to come and play here I couldn't turn down.

"I am 27 now and I just want to come in and show people what I do.

"Play games and help this club progress into the league which is where they should be and where they need to be.

"I have had about four seasons in the National League so hopefully I should hit the ground running."

Lawlor scored the winning goal in the National League North play-off final in 2014 to help Guiseley win promotion to non-league's top tier.

Although the Nethermoor Park outfit were relegated last term, Lawlor joined AFC Fylde on loan in February and helped the Coasters reach the play-offs where they lost to Boreham Wood.

Lawlor is now eager to experience success with Wrexham.

"Guiseley were always sort of near the bottom, I went to Fylde on loan and that helped me a little bit because they are expected to win games," said Lawlor.

"We got into the play-offs and played in the semi-finals but expectations are a little bit different here.

"Wrexham are expected to win games and that is what you want because you want to push yourself."

Smith is due to see a specialist this week to determine the severity of his injury but when he returns, Lawlor is looking forward to the competition for a place in Wrexham's back-line.

"They are big shoes to fill," said Lawlor. "But you want competition for places.

"He is going to want people chomping at the bit trying to get in the team. That will bring the best out of him, that will bring the best out of me and that will bring the best out in all the centre-halves and all the players."

Lawlor watched from the stands as Wrexham bounced back from a first league defeat of the season by beating Aldershot Town 2-0 on Saturday, taking the Reds back to the top of the table, and he felt it was a deserved win.

"I thought we were good," added Lawlor. "Good at the back and solid, Aldershot never really looked like scoring.

"We were a lot better second half and created more chances.

"I think we could have played all day and they wouldn't have scored so it is a good sign.

"Obviously a clean sheet is good, what else can you do as a defence?"