COMPETITION for places is fierce but Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says his players have taken it on the chin when not selected for games.

Parkinson has plenty of options heading into tonight's clash against Maidenhead United at York Road and players will be disappointed not to be selected in the match-day squad.

But the Reds' boss has applauded the response from his squad members when they have not even made the substitutes bench.

"You travel away and good players don't make the bench, and that is always tough," said Parkinson.

"But the most important thing as I always stress to the lads is it is a squad game and not just the starting XI.

"The group do pull together really well. We have got no-one who is over the top in their disappointment when they are left out.

"I always explain the reasons to them and they always take it well and get right behind the lads in the dressing room before and after the game, and that is so important."

Parkinson is looking to build on Saturday's 3-0 win at Barnet when Wrexham produced an excellent performance.

"We set a high standard and I am looking forward to seeing us continue it on Tuesday night at Maidenhead," added Parkinson.

"It is all about performance level. We have got to go down there and perform like we have done at Barnet and that will give us a great chance of getting the points.

"But we will give Maidenhead the utmost respect like we did Barnet in our preparation and hopefully we go back up the road on Tuesday night with more points in the bag.

"The lads are full of confidence after Saturday's win."