MARK CREIGHTON believes Wrexham are on course for a play-off position but insists the Reds will need to step up a gear in the second half of the season to remain in contention for automatic promotion.

The Reds have reached the midway point in their campaign, taking 39 points from 22 games, with Phil Parkinson's eighth placed side only outside the play-offs on goal difference after going three weeks without a National League fixture.

Former Wrexham defender Creighton, a big fans favourites during his spell at The Racecourse from 2011-13, feels the Reds can be pleased with their current position despite not firing on all cylinders so far this season.

Although on course for a play-off spot, the 40-year-old insists Wrexham will need a strong finish to have a chance of clinching the title.

"We have not really hit the ground," said Creighton. "We have huffed and puffed through the season and we have still found ourselves in the mix.

"We are sitting in the mix, we now have to finish strongly.

"I don't think we have got much room for errors if you want to talk about winning the league but certainly the play-offs.

"We need to kick-on, be much stronger in the second half of the season and we have got a chance of getting promoted.

"We get out of this league, we can easily get out of the next one."

Creighton was in the Wrexham side that was pipped to the title by big-spending Fleetwood in 2011-12 despite finishing with a club record 98 points.

Parkinson is looking to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window to give the promotion challenge a boost and Creighton knows new signings can make a difference.

"Fleetwood strengthened, we almost relied on what we had and I think that's where we lost a bit of ground," added Creighton.

"We are in a different ball-game now; it's not that we've got money to burn because you have still got to be sensible but we can go and get what we want now."