JORDAN PONTICELLI believes Wrexham can take heart from their performance in the FA Cup as the Reds continue their quest to climb the National League by beating Aldershot Town tonight.

Phil Parkinson’s side exited the cup competition on Saturday after losing 2-1 against Harrogate Town at Wetherby Road.

Ponticelli scored his first goal of the season to give Wrexham a half-time lead but the League Two outfit struck twice in six minutes to seal victory and progress to the second round.

Despite failing to get something from the game, Ponticelli felt the Reds gave a good account of themselves.

“We played against a very good outfit in the Football League,” said Ponticelli. “They are not doing too bad.

“The fact that we were compact and didn’t look like giving many chances away means there are a lot of positives to take.

“The second goal was unlucky, it happens in football, and maybe the wall should have blocked the free-kick.

“But it was a Football League team against a National League team and we held our own and did well.”

Ponticelli is looking for mid-table Wrexham to improve their league position, starting with three points against Aldershot in their re-arranged fixture after the game was abandoned last month because of a waterlogged pitch at The Recreation Ground with the Reds leading 2-0.

“Our sole focus now is the league,” said Ponticelli.

“It was the main focus anyway but sometimes you have those distractions of the FA Cup.

“If we can put in performances like we did against a Football League team, we should be able to push on.

“We have got to go again against Aldershot.

“The lads know they can do it and go there and win, so there is no reason why we can’t go and do it again on Tuesday.”

Ponticelli, operating as a lone striker, opened his account for the campaign by scoring from close range after James Jones’ overhead kick fell into the frontman’s path.

It was a chance that was gratefully received by the 23-year-old.

“It was a game with not many chances for us again,” said Ponticelli.

“We thought we would be compact and hard to beat, and I thought we did that well.

“It was nice to get that goal and it doesn’t matter how far out it was; those are the nicest because you have to be in them areas.

“I thought my hard work from last week and Saturday got me that goal.

“Obviously if I don’t get any chances it is hard for me to score but I will still do the other bits and that is putting myself about, run as much as I can for the team and work hard but to get the goal was nice.

“But we didn’t get the win which we will have to look at, and we are all disappointed.