DEAN KEATES described Wrexham's win against high-flying Solihull Moors as the best since he returned to The Racecourse for a second term as manager.

Wrexham went into Saturday's game on the back of a 2-0 victory over Eastleigh which took the Reds off the bottom of the National League, ending a run of two successive defeats.

It got even better against Moors as first half goals from Omari Patrick and James Jennings made it two wins in a row for the first time this season and took Wrexham out of the relegation zone.

Having previously seen Wrexham beat then-leaders Bromley last month, Keates declared the Solihull success the best yet.

"What a difference a week makes," said Keates.

"I don't think we deserved to lose against Fylde, minimum should have been 0-0 and we take a point out of it.

"We went down to Ebbsfleet and at 5pm I was scratching my head wondering how we were bottom of the league; they are the fine margins of football - a deflection and an own goal, and we end up losing the game.

"We needed a reaction on Tuesday night and we got it.

"We had a week when it is hard, we have had a week where it is been a lot more positive.

"For me, this is the best result. We knew what we were going to be up against with Solihull - they are strong, physical and put you under immense pressure - but to a man I felt my players dealt with it."

Wrexham have leaked goals this season so keeping a second successive clean sheet meant just as much to Keates as three points.

"We need to give ourselves a chance," said Keates.

"When you are down there you are not going to score five or six goals.

"You need to be resilient and set your stall out, and defensively we have looked really solid the last two games."

Victory meant Wrexham climbed out of the bottom four for the first time since October.

When asked whether his side have now turned the corner, Keates added: "You hope so but in football you never know.

"We had a bad week and you end up bottom of the league.

"We have had two good results, we will enjoy them but we will get ourselves ready for Halifax and make sure we are ready to go down to Sutton because that is a massive game for us.

"We have to go there and get something."

Saturday's clash at Halifax is an FA Trophy first round tie which must be played to a conclusion on the day.

With Wrexham now heading in the right direction, it is understandable that Keates would rather have a league game than be in cup action.

"There is going to be critics because of the size of the football club and the expectation that comes with the football club," said Keates.

"It is nice to send the public of Wrexham home with a smile on their faces.

"Two wins on the bounce is positive going forward, it is a building block.

"Am I a little bit disappointed that we have got the FA Trophy next week? Yes I am slightly, I am not going to lie.

"But we have got a full week and it is a chance for me to shut the players down and give them a rest.

"It has been relentless for them the last few weeks, there has been a nucleus of a team so it is a chance to recharge the batteries and it is an opportunity for some of the players who have been on the outside waiting for that chance."

But Keates still wants to beat Halifax and continue the upturn in form ahead of the busy festive period.

"Whoever goes out and represents the football club has to win a football match whether it is league or cup," said Keates.

"We have won two on the bounce, the lads have done their job the last two games and we have to go and get three.

"You get three wins on the bounce, you go and win four and start a real positive run so we have to go and get a victory next week."