WREXHAM produced a brilliant away performance as a 3-1 win against Scunthorpe United took the Reds to the top of the National League.

Phil Parkinson's side made the trip to Glanford Park sitting two points behind Notts County, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Southend the previous evening.

Knowing victory would enable them to become leaders, Wrexham rose to the challenge against the lowly Iron.

Although they boast a 100 per cent record at The Racecourse, the Reds haven't been in as good form away from home but they thoroughly deserved three points.

Wrexham created a host of chances in a first half they dominated and led 2-0 before Scunthorpe pulled a goal back just before the break.

The home side had a good spell in the second period but Wrexham continued to have opportunities and a third goal made sure of the win.

Parkinson made two changes from the side that started Sunday's 3-0 FA Cup first round win against Oldham Athletic.

Anthony Forde hobbled off with a hamstring problem in the victory and he was replaced by Bryce Hosannah in the right wing-back position while Ollie Palmer came back into the Wrexham attack after he was given a breather and only appeared as a substitute at the weekend, taking over from Sam Dalby who was back on the bench.

Wrexham made a lively start and Aaron Hayden's third minute effort from Ben Tozer's long throw-in failed to hit the target.

There were an even better opportunities when Tozer took another throw-in short to Elliot Lee, the ball was returned to the centre-back and his cross was headed narrowly wide from an unmarked Paul Mullin.

Parkinson's men were on top and when Luke Young's pass intended for Ollie Palmer came back to him off a defender, the Reds' captain saw his shot brilliantly turned over the bar by goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.

From Young's resulting corner, Jordan Tunnicliffe's downward header was brilliantly turned onto the bar by Dewhurst

But the Scunthorpe goalkeeper was beaten as Wrexham took a 21st minute lead.

Mullin charged down a clearance and the striker's low cross was turned home by Palmer for his 12th goal of the campaign.

The pressure had paid off, and the Wrexham chances kept coming!

Tunnicliffe's header from Tozer's throw-in was cleared off the line by defender Mason O'Malley, Mullin pulled the ball back for Jones but his drive was comfortably saved by Dewhurst and Lee's curling effort was only just cleared the bar.

It was all Wrexham and the second goal arrived in the 32nd minute.

Young sent in a free-kick and Hayden found the back of the net with a header to notch up his ninth goal this season.

But poor defending allowed Scunthorpe to pull a goal back three minutes before the break.

Callum McFadzean switched off as Jai Rowe was left free and picked out in the area, and the wing-back fired past Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Wrexham went straight back at the home side when the second half began, Jones unable to test Dewhurst with a shot from outside the area.

Alfie Beestin brought a rare save out of Howard and buoyed by that opening, Scunthorpe enjoyed a spell of pressure.

The Reds needed to restore their two-goal cushion to make the game safe but substitute Liam McAlinden made a vital block to keep out O'Malley's goalbound drive.

Back came Wrexham and Young chested the ball down before seeing a volley only just clear the bar while McFadzean, who has never scored for the Reds, struck the post with a brilliant long range effort.

However, the Reds made it 3-1 on 70 minutes.

McFadzean won a header and found Lee who played it back to the wing-back and his cross was converted by Mullin who bagged his 16th goal of 2022-23.

Palmer volleyed just wide as Wrexham continued to press and substitute Dalby was denied by Dewhurst.

Rob Apter struck the bar in added time but Wrexham were good value for the win.

Scunthorpe United (5-3-2): Dewhurst; Rowe (Carver 74), Boyce, Ntlhe (Young 37), Taft, O'Malley; Butterfield, Beestin, Apter; Nuttall, Lavery. Subs not used: Foster, Wilson, Pugh.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Hosannah (McAlinden 60), Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe, McFadzean; Jones, Young, Lee (O'Connor 78); Mullin (Dalby 88), Palmer. Subs not: Lainton, Davies.

Attendance: 3,569 (807 from Wrexham).