OLLIE PALMER admits the electric atmosphere at The Racecourse for his Wrexham debut was "everything and more" he expected as the striker likened it to a League One fixture.

With coronavirus restrictions eased, nearly 8,500 supporters were present for Tuesday's home game with Grimsby Town when Palmer made his Reds bow.

Wrexham broke their transfer fee to sign Palmer from League One outfit AFC Wimbledon, paying £300,000 for the striker who penned a three-and-a-half-year contract.

And the 30-year-old, who scored eight times for the Dons this season, netted the only goal as Phil Parkinson's side registered another win in the push for promotion.

"It lived up to its expectation. It was everything and more," said Palmer.

"The gaffer told me it is electric here and that is probably the most electric game I can remember!

"Playing in the Conference, that felt like a League One game. It was no different.

"This club shouldn't be in this league and as a group, we have got to do everything we can to get this club in the right direction.

"The gaffer is doing an amazing job here, the players have put themselves in a position where they can get the job done and we have just got to do everything we can to try and achieve that."

Palmer added: "The gaffer really sold it to me about the journey that they are on and where the club wants to go.

"Obviously the club has got a lot of history and they want to get back to into the league; it is something I want to try and help and be a part of."

Although he was delighted to bag a goal on his first Wrexham start, Palmer prefers to look at the bigger picture.

"It was a dream debut," said Palmer.

"Three points was the most important thing and to top it all off with a goal in front of our home fans was unbelievable. It was a great moment.

"But it's not about me scoring on my debut, it is much bigger than that.

"It is about coming into this environment and helping the squad any way that I can."

Palmer says he always continued giving everything for Wimbledon despite Wrexham's continued interest in signing him during the January transfer window.

"I was always in the loop," said Palmer. "Wrexham tried to sign me for about two weeks before it actually happened.

"It was about the clubs agreeing a fee and when they did, it was about me agreeing personal terms and I was up here.

"But I remained respectable to Wimbledon and carried on playing for the club.

"I think a lot of players in my position probably wouldn't have played for the club knowing everything had been agreed and there was a lot at risk but I carried on playing and when it was time to sign on the dotted line, I did that."