JAMES JENNINGS stressed the importance of Wrexham performing against their relegation rivals and not just raising their game against the leading sides.

Wrexham overcame second placed Harrogate Town 2-0 at Wetherby Road on Saturday and despite battling to beat the drop, the Reds have also defeated top-nine sides Bromley, Solihull and Woking since November.

But the record against teams at the wrong end of the table is less impressive and with Wrexham playing host to lowly Dagenham on Saturday before heading to fourth bottom Chesterfield the following weekend, Jennings knows that has to change.

"We as players are aware of that," said Jennings.

"It is alright raising your game against the top six or seven, it is crucial to win games in and around you.

"We want to be looking above us, not below us, and make it less stressful for everyone.

"It has not been enjoyable down there so these next two games are massive."

Wrexham, who beat Woking 3-0 before the Harrogate success, are now 16th in the National League, four points above the bottom four.

Looking to register three wins in a row for the first time this season against 20th placed Dagenham, Jennings says there is renewed confidence in the squad following recent results.

"We want to kick on now, we want to go on a good run," said Jennings.

"We have been yo-yoing, going win, loss, win, loss, but there is no reason why we can't win three or four games.

"We have just got to believe in ourselves. There is quite a lot of confidence in the squad now with a few good new additions as well.

"It showed at Harrogate there is a real togetherness within the squad."

Jennings scored a stunning 11th minute free-kick to give Wrexham the lead at Harrogate but the Reds had to soak up a lot of pressure for the majority of the first half.

Wrexham were on top after the break with JJ Hooper's goal making sure of maximum points, and Jennings says all the players deserve credit for keeping the hosts out.

"A couple of weeks ago we would probably have conceded a goal in that first 30-40 minutes," said Jennings.

"We had to weather the storm when they put the pressure on and we fell quite deep for the majority of the first half.

"But we got through to half-time and I thought we had a good go at them second half.

"The next goal was massive, we knew we had to try and get the second goal; it was backs against the wall at times but delighted to see it through and get the win."

Jennings scored his fourth goal of the season but a second successive clean sheet and win meant more to the left-back.

"I have scored a few free-kicks like that but not for a long time; it has been annoying really because I have been trying to work on them but I knew as soon as it left my boot it was going in, and it got us off to a good start," said Jennings.

"I would sooner have 25 clean sheets again like last season but it is good to contribute in as many ways as possible.

"The wing-back position gives me that licence to get forward but it was all about the three points, no matter who scored."