THEY weren't at their best but Wrexham won 2-0 against Scunthorpe United to extend the unbeaten run in the National League to 20 games and maintain the automatic promotion challenge.

It was a disappointing first half performance by Wrexham who still led at the break thanks to Paul Mullin's 34th goal of the season from the penalty spot.

The Iron had their moments in the contest with too many Reds' passes going astray, and the game hung in the balance in the second half.

But Mullin won and converted another spot-kick to move onto 35 goals for the campaign and secure another vital win in the race for the title.

Second placed Wrexham remain five points behind Notts County with two games in hand heading into another home match against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.

Parkinson made four changes from the side that started the epic 4-3 win against Aldershot Town on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton was handed his first league appearance of the season in place of Mark Howard while Jordan Tunnicliffe, who returned from injury earlier than expected at the weekend, took over at centre-back from Eoghan O'Connell who went off with an Achilles' problem against the Shots.

The other two changes were in the wing-back positions with Bryce Hosannah and Liam McAlinden replacing Anthony Forde and Jacob Mendy respectively.

There was also a surprise place on the substitutes bench for midfielder Jordan Davies who has been out since the end of November with a knee injury.

Tunnicliffe headed over from Ben Tozer's throw-in with the first chance of the game for Wrexham but Alfie Beeston immediately tested Lainton at the other end.

Lainton then pulled off a superb save to keep out Cameron Wilson's half-volley before gathering Danny Elliott's effort on the line following a scramble.

Wrexham responded with Ollie Palmer capitalising on a ricochet in the Iron defence, running at goal but seeing his drive blocked for a corner, while Harvey Bunker's effort deflected wide for the Iron.

There was almost a spectacular goal to celebrate when Owen Foster's kick fell to Luke Young just inside the Iron half and the Wrexham captain's first time shot over the goalkeeper, who was caught off his line, struck the top of the crossbar.

Hosannah's stop-start season continued when he limped off and had to be replaced by Mendy, but Wrexham took the lead in the 24th minute.

McAlinden, who switched to the right after Hosannah went off, picked out Mullin who took a touch and was brought down by Ben Richards-Everton in the area.

Mullin picked himself up and sent Foster the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Lainton managed to parry Jacob Butterfield's curling effort at the other end and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Tozer headed wide from Young's cross at the start of the second half and Palmer couldn't keep his header down from Tozer's throw-in.

However, Scunthorpe almost levelled when Tom Pugh's long range drive struck the post.

Wrexham needed a second goal to make the game safe and it almost came when Mendy ran into the area but he fired wide.

Palmer brought a good save out of Foster with his best chance of the game and McAlinden's follow-up went wide of the target.

The Iron came close to making it 1-1 but Lainton pulled off a superb save to deny Beestin.

And it proved crucial as Wrexham went 2-0 up in the 82nd minute.

Foster failed to hold onto substitutes Davies's shot and then took out Mullin who went for the loose ball.

Mullin made no mistake with the resulting penalty to give Wrexham breathing space.

Young was not far away from making it 3-0 but Mullin's brace proved to be enough.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Lainton; Hosannah (Mendy 22), Cleworth, Tozer, Tunnicliffe, McAlinden (Davies 79); Jones, Young, Lee; Mullin, Palmer (Dalby 74). Subs nit used: Howard, Cannon.

Scunthorpe United (4-2-3-1): Foster; Ogle, Boyce, Richards-Everton, Leake; Bunker, Pugh (Whitehouse 71); Wilson (Sembie-Ferris 63), Butterfield (McDonagh 71), Beestin; Elliott. Subs not used: Feeney, Smith.

Attendance: 9,915 (244 from Scunthorpe).THEY