PHIL PARKINSON got the response he wanted the last time Wrexham conceded five goals in a game and he is looking for the same reaction from his players following Saturday's debacle at Stockport County.

The seven-game unbeaten run in League Two came to an abrupt end as the Reds were thrashed 5-0 by Dave Challinor's outfit at Edgeley Park.

Poor defending left Wrexham three-nil down at the break and the Hatters grabbed a fourth goal early in the second half before completing the scoring in added time.

It was the third time in nine league outings that the Reds have shipped five goals, the last coming on August 19 when Parkinson's men staged a terrific comeback to draw 5-5 with Swindon Town at The STóK Cae Ras.

Wrexham only let-in two goals in the next four league games, keeping two clean sheets, and Parkinson says the Reds will work hard on the training ground this week to tighten things up at the back ahead of Saturday's home clash with Crewe Alexandra.

"Of course we need to work on things," said Parkinson.

"We changed the dynamics of the team slightly after the Swindon game and it's worked.

"We need to look at the team again and see why we conceded goals.

"Sometimes if you are not playing well on the ball but you stand strong as a team and you come in at half-time and it is 0-0 or 1-0, you can rectify things.

"But coming in 3-0 down was obviously a mountain to climb.

"We have got ourselves in a strong position with recent performances, now we have to look at the reasons why it didn't go right and we will do, and put it right for next week."

Wrexham suffered just a second league defeat of the season and first since going down 5-3 to MK Dons on the opening day.

"We have worked hard," added Parkinson.

"We had an indifferent start but since the first game we have gone unbeaten and the lads have been excellent.

"We had so many good times in the dressing room, before and after games, and coming to training feeling really confident.

"It is one of those days where we have got to take the medicine as a group.

"That is all the staff and all the players because we were second best."