PAUL RUTHERFORD insists Christian Dibble is a better goalkeeper than he gets credit for.

Dibble began last season in the Wrexham side with first choice stopper Rob Lainton out injured but after a promising start, a series of mistakes set in.

Replaced by the fit-again Lainton in October, Dibble was then restricted to cup appearances before the campaign was ended abruptly due to the coronavirus crisis.

Dibble got his first action of the 2020-21 season against Bromley on Saturday when he came on for Lainton, who suffered a nasty head injury, and he produced a man of the match display as Wrexham drew 1-1 at Hayes Lane.

He might have proved his critics wrong, but Rutherford wasn't one of them.

"Dibs speaks for himself," said Rutherford, with the goalkeeper handed a starting role in the absence of Lainton when Wrexham faced Altrincham last night. "He is a top quality goalkeeper.

"We are lucky that we have got Dibs at the club.

"He supports Rob brilliantly as the number two, he is great around the place and he makes sure that his spirit is always up.

"He brings a lot more to the table than just playing and then when he plays, you see how good he is in his ability.

"His left-foot, his kicking, his shot-stopping, he is a great lad and a great goalkeeper.

"I always felt a bit sorry for Dibs to be honest with you because last year was not a true reflection of what Dibs was.

"The season before, he came in and did a great job and I have got no doubt he will continue to do a great job for us in Rob's absence."

A lengthy stoppage ensured when Lainton was knocked unconscious after diving at the feet of Bromley striker James Alabi.

The Ravens reacted better to the break and took the lead but after Dibble pulled off a string of fine saves, Adi Yussuf rescued a point for Wrexham.

"When we came out for the re-start, we were caught a little bit cold by them," said Rutherford.

"They started better than us but I thought we grew into the game and it was a well earned point in the end.

"It was the first time this season that we have come from behind and gained something from a game so loads of positives to take."

On seeing Lainton laid out cold and taken to hospital after paramedics arrived at Hayes Lane, Rutherford added: "It is difficult but you have just got to be professional.

"Make sure that you take your mind off Rob and his well-being, as hard as that is and as poor as that sounds.

"You have just got to concentrate on the job in hand and the people who can control Rob's situation will make sure he is alright and his health is fine.

"We can't control that situation, we have got to control the football match.

"We have a job to do and we had to make sure that we got something out of that football match."

Rutherford provided the assist for Yussuf, delivering an inch perfect cross that was headed home by the striker.

"I just said to Adi, make sure you hang around the back stick," said Rutherford.

"As soon as I got the ball, I had a bit more time than I realised. I made sure I took my time and picked out where I wanted to put the ball.

"I saw Adi and Kwame Thomas around the back stick, I gave them a ball to go and attack and that is exactly what they did.

"Adi is a goalscorer and he comes alive in the penalty box. You could see the desire in him to attack it and make sure the ball gets over the line."