JORDAN DAVIES' late goal earned Wrexham a hard fought 1-0 win against bottom of the table Dover Athletic at The Crabble.

Despite being on top in the first half, Phil Parkinson's side were unable to make the breakthrough and the Whites struck the woodwork three times after the interval.

However, midfielder Davies scored with six minutes to go and victory takes the Reds up to fourth in the National League.

Parkinson made two changes from the side that started Tuesday's defeat against Yeovil.

James Jones came into midfield in place of Liam McAlinden who was starting a three game suspension after the club was unsuccessful with their appeal over the red card he was shown for an elbow offence in the Glovers loss.

The other change was in attack where Jake Hyde was preferred to Jordan Ponticelli who dropped to the substitutes bench.

The first chance fell to Wrexham but Paul Mullin's volley from just outside the area falling wide.

Aaron Hayden shot straight at goalkeeper Josh Bexon from Ben Tozer's cross as the Reds continued their good spell of pressure and James Jones fired over the bar.

Mullin ran at goal and got into a decent position but the striker was eventually crowded out and Dover cleared their lines and Wrexham's best chance came in the 34th minute when Hyde played in Bryce Hosannah whose shot was blocked.

Dover had an appeal for a penalty turned down when TJ Bramble claimed he had been brought down in the area by Luke Young, but it was the closed the home side came to a goal in the first half.

Wrexham came close to a goal just before the break after Mullin's drive was tipped over the bar by Bexon and from the resulting corner, Tozer's effort was cleared off the line by midfielder Ryan Hanson.

The Whites made a bright start to the second period and Alfie Pavey's header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Lainton but the striker was in an offside position.

Aaron Cosgrave's shot was blocked for a corner while Wrexham also survived a goalmouth scramble where Dover, who were on top, hit the post before Jake Goodman's header struck the top of the crossbar with another chance.

However, Wrexham should have gone ahead but Hayden failed to hit the target from close range after getting on the end of Young's corner.

There was another opportunity for the Reds after Bexon dropped Jordan Davies' corner but Harry Lennon lacked pace with his shot and the goalkeeper saved.

Wrexham continued to press and Ponticelli fed Davies who crossed into the danger zone where Reece Hall-Johnson failed to hit the target.

But the Reds took the lead in the 84th minite.

Davies sent in a corner which found its way into the net.

It was nearly 2-0 as Ponticelli played in Hyde who brought a superb save out of Bexon, but one goal proved to be enough.

Dover Athletic (4-5-1)): Bexon; Tiensia, Twumasi, Goodman, Wood (Arthur 89); Cosgrave, Hanson, Bramble, Woods, Williamson (Caton 79); Pavey. Subs not used: Caton, Carney, Andre, Moses.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Lainton, Hall-Johnson, Hayden, Tozer, Lennon (David Jones 79), Hosannah; James Jones (Ponticelli 66), Young, Davies; Mullin, Hyde. Subs not used: Dibble, French, Green.

Attendance: 838 (198 from Wrexham).