WREXHAM are out of the relegation zone after beginning 2020 with victory against Chorley.

The Reds went into the game having beaten the Magpies on Boxing Day but disappointing defeats either side of that at Sutton and Maidenhead kept Dean Keates' side in the bottom four.

However, completing the double over fellow strugglers Chorley took Wrexham up to 19th position in the National League, two points from trouble.

Inconsistency has been a problem this season, none more so than over the festive period, but Wrexham have now won four of their last six games to give them some hope in their bid to beat the dreaded drop.

It wasn't good enough in 2019 and while Wrexham have started the new year on a positive note, no-one will be getting carried away as the Reds still have a lot of work to do to reach safety.

But this is a good platform and making it two wins in a row at home to Aldershot on Saturday - another side fighting for their lives - will be another step in the right direction.

Keates, unhappy with the performance at Maidenhead, hinted that he would switch things around for the return clash with Chorley and he was true to his word.

The starting XI showed three changes from the weekend's defeat as Mark Carrington, Paul Rutherford and Omari Patrick returned to the side in place of Tyler Reid, Shaun Pearson and Luke Summerfield.

Pearson was named in the side but sustained an injury in the warm-up so Jake Lawlor, initially listed among the substitutes, kept his place, with Mark Harris taking his spot on the bench.

There was an early chance for Chorley following a quick break upfield but Martin Smith brought a save out of Rob Lainton.

Bobby Grant struck the wall with a free-kick at the other end but Wrexham then had a superb chance to take the lead in the 16th minute.

Grant threaded the ball through for Hooper who elected to go for goal instead of passing to Patrick and keeper Matt Urwin parried his shot.

Wrexham continued their good spell and after Chorley failed to deal with a corner, Hooper's shot was deflected over for another flag-kick.

Chorley tried their best to win a penalty but Smith was booked for simulation after falling to the ground when Luke Young challenged him in the area.

Back came Wrexham and Devonte Redmond picked out Rutherford who beat a defender but his low cross towards Hooper was cleared by Courtney Meppen-Walters in the six yard box.

Wrexham came even closer to taking the lead but Kieran Kennedy's header from Young's corner was somehow palmed away by Urwin.

Marcus Carver headed over for Chorley and Kennedy made a well-timed challenge in the area to prevent the Magpies striker from getting a shot away and it remained goalless at the break.

The second half was 12 minutes old before the first chance arrived but Young's free-kick was headed wide by Hooper.

Chorley immediately had an even better opportunity as Carver nodded down for Elliot Newby whose effort was brilliantly tipped behind by Lainton.

It was a warning and Keates responded by making his first change in the 63rd minute with Reid replacing Rutherford.

Lainton spilled a cross but recovered well to deny Carver a shot at goal, and it was Wrexham who took a 1-0 lead on 72 minutes.

Grant intercepted a Chorley pass and played in Patrick whose cross was headed in by Redmond at the back post.

The Magpies responded with Smith firing wide while Hooper was unable to hit the target for Wrexham.

Carver cut inside and saw his effort deflected wide and Andy Teague wasn't far away as Chorley enjoyed a good spell of pressure.

But Wrexham scored a crucial second goal after 80 minutes.

Hooper flicked the ball on to Patrick who curled the ball past Urwin from outside the area with a fantastic finish for his fifth goal of the season which gave the Reds breathing space.

Jason Oswell came on for Hooper but Chorley hadn't given up and Adam Blakeman struck the top of the crossbar.

However, Wrexham made sure of a clean sheet and a win as 2020 started with three points.