PROMOTION hopefuls Wrexham beat Northampton Town 2-0 at Sixfields Stadium in League One to make it four wins in a row in all competitions.
Two of those victories have come in the league and success over the Cobblers in the lunchtime kick-off enabled the third placed Reds to close the gap on leaders Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers, who sit second, with the top-two playing later in the day.
It was a job well done in the first half when Wrexham scored twice in three minutes
Winter transfer window signing Sam Smith’s first goal for the club and another strike by Ollie Rathbone – his fourth of the season – had Wrexham well in control at the break.
Phil Parkinson’s men had chances to extend the lead in the second half but victory was never in doubt.
Having made changes for the two previous games in the EFL Trophy which saw Wrexham book their place in the semi-finals of the competition against Peterborough United, Parkinson named the side that started the last league match – a 2-1 win at Crawley Town a fortnight earlier.
There was no place in the squad for Elliot Lee who was involved in a car crash after Tuesday's 1-0 victory against Bolton and taken to hospital but suffered no major injuries.
Both teams cancelled each other in the opening exchanges with Cameron McGeehan dragging his shot wide with a rare attempt at goal for the hosts.
But Wrexham went route one to take the lead in the 19th minute.
Smith raced onto goalkeeper Mark Howard's long clearance and slotted past keeper Nik Tzanev.
It got even better as the Reds made it 2-0 three minutes later.
Northampton failed to clear the danger and Rathbone won the ball before firing into the net from inside the area.
Wrexham continued to press and after Smith’s effort was deflected wide, the ball struck the upright from James McClean’s corner before a scramble ensued and Rathbone fired wide.
Mitch Pennock was well off target for the Cobblers but Wrexham finished a superb opening period with Jay Rodriguez’s shot turned behind by Tzanev.
Wrexham went straight at the Cobblers after the interval with Rodriguez’s low shot blocked by Tzanev from McClean’s cross.
Smith's effort deflected behind for a corner and although Northampton enjoyed a bright spell without threatening a goal, Reds’ substitute Steven Fletcher had a good chance but he headed wide from Matty James’ cross.
Sam Hoskins failed to hit the target for Northampton before Ryan’s Longman’s effort deflected wide at the other end for a corner which was nodded back across goal and Max Cleworth’s header was cleared off the line while Jack Marriott's effort curled wide but three points were never in doubt.
Northampton Town (3-4-3): Tzanev; Odimayo (Magloire 77), Willis (McGowan 37), Dyche; Hoskins, Perry (Baldwin 77), Taylor, Pinnock; McGeehan, Costelloe, Fosu (Wilson 49). Subs not used: Hondermarck, Chouchane, Dadge.
Wrexham (3-5-2): Howard; Cleworth, O’Connell, Brunt; Barnett (Longman 79), Dobson, James, Rathbone, McClean; Smith (Marriott 79), Rodriguez (Fletcher 71). Subs not used: Okonkwo, Revan, Scarr, Cannon.
Attendance: 7,685 (1,404 from Wrexham).
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