WREXHAM dropped to fourth in League Two after losing 3-1 against Salford City at The Peninsula Stadium.

It was the Reds' third defeat in a row, with two of those coming in the league, and Phil Parkinson's men are now six points behind leaders Stockport County - held to a 1-1 draw by Harrogate - with a game in hand.

Mansfield and Barrow climbed above Wrexham who started the day sitting second in the table but made a dreadful start and were 2-0 down after 16 minutes.

Although Sam Dalby pulled a goal back with his first league strike of he campaign, the Reds were fortunate to still be in the game at the break after Salford dominated the first half and had chances to increase their lead.

However, a third goal early in the second period condemned Wrexham to a sixth league loss of the season.

Parkinson made two changes from the side that started the 4-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat against Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

Centre-backs Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe were named among the substitutes at Ewood Park after recovering from injury and the duo came into the side in place of Max Cleworth and Eoghan O'Connell.

There was a place on the bench for new signings Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott who joined Wrexham on transfer deadline day.

Salford made a bright start and they had the first chance of the game when a cross came in from the left and Matt Smith's header was brilliantly turned around the post by Arthur Okonkwo.

However, Wrexham fell behind when the Ammies scored from the resulting corner in the sixth minute which Okonkwo came to claim but didn't get near it and Theo Vassell headed home at the back post against his former club.

It was nearly 2-0 following more poor defending when Ben Tozer misjudged a ball over the top and Okonkwo made a superb save to tip Junior Luamba's shot over the bar.

But Salford immediately doubled their lead after 16 minutes when Elliot Watt scored directly from the resulting corner with the ball going over Okonkwo into the net.

It was one-way traffic and Okonkwo make a vital double save, keeping out Conor McAleny's effort from outside the area before denying Callum Morton on the rebound.

Tozer made a timely block to divert a shot away from goal but Wrexham reduced the deficit with their first chance of the game four minutes before half-time.

James McClean's free-kick was turned back into the danger-zone by Tozer, Hayden nodded towards goal and Dalby headed past keeper Alex Cairns.

Buoyed by the goal, Hayden headed over from Tozer's throw-in and it remained 2-1 at the break.

Wrexham came out fired up for the second period, making a much better start, and Paul Mullin headed over the bar when McClean's corner wasn't dealt with by Cairns and it fell invitingly for the striker.

But Okonkwo made vital save with his legs to deny Morton and Declan John's follow-up deflected narrowly wide.

However, Salford restored their two-goal lead in the 56th minute. Watt crossed into the area and Smith turned the ball past Okonkwo.

New signings Bolton and Marriott came on for Barnett and Tunnicliffe respectively with 10 minutes remaining but Wrexham had a lucky escape when Luamba struck the underside of the bar.

Salford were creating the chances with Smith's header claimed by Okonkwo and the Ammies secured a deserved victory.

Salford City (4-2-3-1): Cairns; John, Vassell, Tilt, Garbutt (Shephard 55); Watt, Watson (Hendry 85); Morton (Lund 69), McAleny (Nmai 69), Luamba; Smith. Subs not used: Torrance, Mariappa, Chesters.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Okonkwo; Barnett (Bolton 80), Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe (Marriott 80), McClean (Mendy 88); Cannon, Evans, Lee; Mullin, Dalby (Fletcher 62). Subs not used: Howard, O'Connell, Jones.

Attendance: 4,591 (1,368 from Wrexham).