WREXHAM supporters got the Christmas present they craved in the fight against relegation.

Two goals from JJ Hooper put Wrexham on the road to a 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Chorley in front of nearly 4,800 fans at The Racecourse.

Hooper struck twice in the opening 11 minutes as Dean Keates' side bounced back from the disappointing defeat by the same score at Sutton on Saturday.

Omari Patrick came off the bench and scored a late third goal before the Magpies, who missed a first half penalty, scored a late consolation, but Wrexham were good value for the win.

The Reds were woeful at Gander Green Lane but produced a much improved performance against Chorley.

Wrexham got among the goals but Chorley also had chances in an entertaining game between two sides battling for their lives.

It was exactly what was needed after that poor showing at Sutton and a third win in four league games leaves fourth bottom Wrexham one point adrift of safety.

The crucial festive period, where Keates' side faces teams in and around them in the National League tables, continues with Saturday's trip to Maidenhead United.

Wrexham also face Chorley again away on New Year's Day before playing host to Aldershot next weekend and more wins would really make the Reds' position in the table look a lot more healthier.

Keates labelled the performance in the defeat against Sutton as the worst since he returned as manager so he made three changes to the starting XI for the visit of Chorley.

Right-back Tyler Reid came in for Mark Carrington, Luke Summerfield replaced Paul Rutherford in midfield and striker Hooper was preferred to Omari Patrick for the Boxing Day showdown.

Wrexham lined up with a 3-4-3 formation and took just three minutes to prise the first chance of the game but Hooper could not keep his header down from James Jennings' cross.

However, the Reds took the lead in the seventh minute.

Hooper raced onto Devonte Redmond's throughball and slotted past goalkeeper Matt Urwin.

Just four minutes later and Wrexham went 2-0 up.

Redmond again supplied the pass over the top of the Chorley defence for Hooper who beat the advancing Urwin.

Chorley had their first sight of goal when Alex Newby dinked the ball across goal but Josh O'Keefe headed wide from a good position.

The lively Newby saw a free-kick tipped over the bar by Rob Lainton and the midfielder also fired wide after Wrexham fail to clear the resulting corner.

Back came Wrexham and Hooper skipped past Courtney Meppen-Walters before trying to pick out Redmond but his shot was cleared off the line by Lewis Baines.

Kieran Kennedy went close with another effort but Wrexham conceded a penalty as ex-Reds striker Chris Holroyd was brought down in the area just before the break.

However, Holroyd saw his spot-kick saved by Lainton in the 40th minute.

Grant and Hooper were both denied by Urwin but Wrexham were good value for their lead at the break.

Wrexham were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second half and after Urwin was put in trouble following Baines' poor back pass, the goalkeeper saved from Luke Young and Redmond was unable to keep his shot down as Chorley survived.

It should have been 3-0 to Wrexham after Redmond fed Grant whose close range effort was brilliantly saved by Urwin with the goal at his mercy.

Keates made his first change after 67 minutes with Rutherford replacing Redmond and Marcus Carver headed wide for the Magpies.

Patrick was introduced in place of Hooper and his strike partner Grant saw his curling effort tipped onto the bar by Urwin who didn't know much about it.

But Wrexham scored a third goal five minutes from time.

Patrick made the most of Meppen-Walters' error and he fired past Urwin.

However, Chorley pulled a goal back on 87 minutes after Wrexham failed to clear the danger, ex-Reds loan striker Ntumba Massanka firing past Lainton.

Patrick was denied by Urwin as Wrexham countered and the striker was again thwarted by the goalkeeper in added time.

But Wrexham had already done enough and the last home of 2019 ended in a deserved win.

Wrexham (3-4-3): Lainton; Lawlor, Pearson, Kennedy; Reid, Summerfield, Young, Jennings; Redmond (Rutherford 67), Hooper (Patrick 74), Grant. Subs: Dibble, Carrington, Harris.

Chorley (4-4-1-1): Urwin; Challoner, Ross, Meppen-Walters, Baines (Nortey 61); Alex Newby, O'Keefe (Elliot Newby 59), Smith, Blakeman; Holroyd; Carver (Massanka 84). Subs: Teague, Dodds.

Attendance: 4,764 (224 from Chorley).