DEAN KEATES knows Wrexham need to end their away-day blues and leave Ebbsfleet United tomorrow with victory to give their battle against relegation a much needed boost.

The third from bottom Reds were beaten 1-0 by fellow strugglers AFC Fylde on Tuesday and are two points adrift of safety going into the clash at Stonebridge Road.

But although facing basement side Ebbsfleet represents a good chance to get some points on the board, Wrexham haven’t won on their travels this season and have the worst away record in the National League.

Despite the woeful run - Wrexham last registered victory on the road at Barnet on April 13 - Keates admits only three points will do against another side fighting for safety.

“We were in a relegation battle before the Fylde game,” said Keates. “It is not good enough.

“Tuesday was an opportunity for us to get out of it and we have not taken it.

“We have to go to Ebbsfleet, manage our own house and make sure we get points on the board.

“We have to go and win a football match. Winning away from home has not happened in a long time, we have to go there and make sure we get maximum points.”

Tomorrow’s match marks the halfway mark in the campaign, with Wrexham taking just 20 points from the first 22 games.

Wrexham have won just four league games and Keates knows that needs to change in the Reds’ bid for survival.

“We are in the position where we are because the form says that,” said Keates.

“The league table doesn’t lie, we have to make sure we right a few wrongs and get three points.

“We have to look after ourselves and make sure we take care of Wrexham Football Club and that is by winning games.”

Keates has hinted at changes against Ebbsfleet, who have the worst home record in the division, and whatever players are selected will be expected to do their utmost to get a morale boosting win.

“Last few games we have kind of settled down and found a tiny bit of form,” added Keates.

“Players are after opportunities and changes need to be made, it needs freshening up.

“Whatever team goes out at Ebbsfleet, they have to make sure they give their best for this football club and get three points.

“We have not won away in a long time and we have to go and win a game at the weekend.”

Wrexham trailed twice against high-flying Yeovil on Saturday but took a 3-2 lead before conceding an equaliser.

After scoring three goals in a league game for the first time this season, Wrexham created few decent scoring chances against Fylde and Keates knows that needs to change against Ebbsfleet.

“We dropped points at the weekend,” added Keates. “When we got our noses in front we should see it through.

“Fylde picked up a few points on us and we had to reel them back in but we passed up an opportunity.

“We had a couple of steps forward over the last few games, that is a couple of steps back.

“We did not make the goalkeeper work enough, we had enough set-plays to cause a problem and we passed up an opportunity not scoring goals.

“We had a lot of possession but possession doesn’t win football matches.

“The decision making wasn’t good enough, be it the cross or the shot.

“If you shoot from distance you have to hit the target and too many balls ended up in the stand.

“It will get sorted and the players will make sure it is sorted for the next game.”