DEAN BENNETT was "buzzing" to be included in Wrexham's matchday squad after enduring a season blighted by injury.

The utility player joined the Reds from Kidderminster Harriers in the summer of 2004 but he only made 18 appearances in all competitions during his first campaign at The Racecourse.

But one of them came at The Millennium Stadium when Bennett came on as an extra-time substitute as Wrexham beat Southend United 2-0 in the LDV Vans Trophy final.

Bennett was introduced in the 105th minute, shortly after Juan Ugarte had put Denis Smith's side ahead, and he helped the Reds maintain their lead before Darren Ferguson's late goal secured victory.

He only had a quarter-of-an-hour on the pitch but Bennett was thrilled to feature on Wrexham's big day.

"I struggled with that many injuries during my time at Wrexham," said Bennett.

"I was struggling with an injury in the weeks leading up to the final so I was really surprised to be on the substitutes bench but I was delighted.

"We took so many fans and I remember the atmosphere was brilliant.

"You felt nervous on the bench because it was such a close game and you wanted to go on and prove yourself, but you didn't want to go on and lose.

"It was great to come on and be part of it."

Bennett had only made one appearance in the two months leading up to the final.

It wouldn't have been too big a surprise if he watched on from the sidelines in Cardiff - Chris Armstrong and Alex Smith were two players not selected - but Bennett recalls how he proved his fitness in the final training session before the showpiece.

"We always used to have a practice game the day before a match," said Bennett.

"It would always be the starting XI against the ones who weren't playing so you always had an idea if you were going to be involved or not.

"Obviously I wasn't in the starting XI but I wanted to prove myself and show that I was fit.

"The gaffer named the squad for the final and he said I was selected which I was buzzing about."

Prolific striker Ugarte headed home from close range to open the scoring and captain Ferguson got the second goal after goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan parried a shot into his path.

Bennett still remembers the goals scored by two special players.

"Juan scored with a header from someone else's flick," said Bennett.

"At the time, Juan was like a goal machine; everything he touched was golden, it was unreal.

"The goalkeeper saved a shot but Darren poached in and scored the second.

"I liked Darren, he took no messing around in the changing room.

"When you went into the changing room, you waited for him to have a go before the manager! It rubbed off from his old man.

"Darren was a winner. He wanted to win things and he had that mentality which I liked."

The final was played in the Welsh capital as Wembley Stadium was being renovated and Bennett would loved to have played across the border.

"The only disappointment about the final for me was that Wembley was closed," said Bennett.

"I had never been there to Wembley and not just play there, I wanted to go there.

"Because they were building Wembley it got moved to The Millennium Stadium which Welsh people loved.

"I wasn't gutted because The Millennium Stadium is amazing but as an English person, it is a dream to play at Wembley."

But it was still a memorable occasion that Bennett, who spent one more season with Wrexham before leaving, will never forget.

"We celebrated in the hotel after the game," added Bennett.

"I remember Steve Roberts was on the piano and it was a brilliant night."