PHIL PARKINSON never doubted he would get a response from his players against Dagenham and Redbridge following the weekend disappointment.

National League leaders Wrexham conceded a late equaliser and had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Maidenhead on Saturday but the Reds got back to winning ways by beating Dagenham and Redbridge 4-0 at York Road.

Ollie Palmer provided the ideal start with the opening goal after six minutes and Jordan Tunnicliffe made it 2-0 before the break.

There was no let-up in the second half and Palmer bagged his 17th goal of the season before Jacob Mendy completed the scoring.

Parkinson was delighted with the performance as Wrexham extended their lead over Notts County to four points, and both teams have 10 games remaining in the race for the title.

“I am very pleased,” said Parkinson. “It was a strong, all-round performance from us.

“We had to respond to the weekend and we have done that.

“I think four points from two potential tricky away games is a good return.

“Obviously we wanted six but after the draw at the weekend, it was important that we came to Dagenham and put on a performance first and foremost.

“The result is great but the manner of the display was right up there with as well as we have played on our travels this season.

“A couple of people said to me before the game, ‘how are the lads going to respond to that late goal?’.

“But I knew they how they would respond, with a strong performance.

“We got control of the game very early on and we very rarely let it slip.”

Palmer, a substitute for the previous two games when Sam Dalby led the attack with leading scorer Paul Mullin, earned a recall against the Daggers and justified his selection.

Parkinson felt the striker has benefited from being given a rest.

“Ollie’s a key player for us, he has been outstanding since he arrived at the club,” said Parkinson.

“There is good competition at the top of the pitch because Sam has come into the team and done really well.

“But Ollie’s had a breather and I thought he showed that.

“He looked fresh, he was first to every ball and his goals were great but his general hold-up play was very good.”

It was captain Luke Young’s turn to get a breather in east London.

Young started 34 of the previous 35 league games, only missing the 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield in August, and he was left out of the squad with Parkinson deciding to give the midfielder a well-earned rest with James Jones coming into the side along with Rob Lainton, Eoghan O’Connell and Palmer as the Reds boss freshened up the starting XI.

“Youngy is a player who has played every minute of the games,” added Parkinson.

“All the staff felt we just needed to put a sprinkle of freshness in the team and I thought you could see that.

“All the lads who came in did really well.”