PHIL PARKINSON praised his players for their response to a poor first-half performance after Wrexham stepped up a gear following the interval to secure another vital League Two win in the push for promotion.

The Reds produced a lack-lustre display in the opening period against AFC Wimbledon who made a bright start and had chances to break the deadlock in front of nearly 12,500 supporters at The Racecourse.

But it remained goalless at the break and Wrexham upped the tempo in the second half with Steven Fletcher breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute and strike partner Paul Mullin quickly doubling the lead.

It finished 2-0 with victory taking Wrexham up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand.

Parkinson admits his side were not at their best in the first period but he was delighted with the reaction after the interval.

"We just lacked a bit of urgency," said Parkinson. "It was almost a feeling of this game is going to take care of itself and we needed to step up.

"We could have done more ourselves in the first period.

"The pressing wasn't quite where we wanted it to be and we adjusted that at the break.

"But equally, like against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, sometimes teams come at us and are full-on; they are playing Wrexham and it is a big game but then they find it difficult to maintain that.

"It was some of that and some of us upping the game as well.

"Obviously the aim is to be really positive from the first minute and put teams under pressure like we have done in other games here but if the other team are playing well like Wimbledon were, you have got to make sure you stay right in the game and we did that terrifically well.

"Sometimes you need to adapt at half-time and we looked really good in the second period.

"We needed more from ourselves in and out of possession and we did it in the second period really well."

Fletcher, who bagged a hat-trick in the previous league game when Wrexham beat Barrow 4-1 on New Year's Day, scored his sixth goal of the season while Mullin struck for the 12th time.

"You don't take it for granted though because moments come and they have got to be taken," said Parkinson.

"But Fletch scored with a great finish and Mulls got a goalscorers goal.

Wing-back James McClean set-up both goals and Parkinson, whose side travel to Newport County for the Welsh derby next Saturday, added: "It was great for James.

"Assists are important and he is gradually creeping his way up that league table of assists in the division."