GRAHAM BARROW hailed Wrexham's best performance of the season as the Reds thrashed Salford City in their Boxing Day showdown at The Racecourse.

Wrexham triumphed 5-1 and moved to up to second place, three points behind leaders Leyton Orient with a game in hand.

The match was over by half-time as Wrexham led 3-0 and goals after the break from debutant Ben Tollitt and fellow substitute Chris Holroyd secured the biggest victory of the season.

When asked whether it was Wrexham's best display, Barrow said: "I think it has to be.

"Jussi Jaaskelainen said to me when we play like that we look like a league team.

"The Newport game was similar but we had those chances against Orient and did not take them.

"Today we took just about everything that came our way."

Wrexham had performed well in home games against title rivals Orient and Newport County in the FA Cup without winning so Barrow was delighted the Reds got the three points their performance deserved.

"We talked after Saturday's game at Aldershot, we have had big performances but we haven't had big results," said Barrow.

"We should maybe have done better against Leyton Orient and Newport here so to get the performance and result is fantastic.

"A fantastic crowd and it had everything really.

Shaun Pearson gave Wrexham the ideal start with a third minute goal while Akil Wright and Brad Walker also scored before the break.

Barrow admits that third goal from on-loan midfielder Walker was crucial and gave Wrexham some breathing space.

"Salford are a good side and they are still a good side," said Barrow.

"In some ways it is hard to put it in perspective.

"The third goal just before half-time from Brad Walker sort of made everything that bit easier.

"That sounds greedy but that's how it felt.

"We had Ebbsfleet here earlier in the season and we didn't want to go through that, no matter what come the start of the second half.

"I know Graham Alexander quite well, they changed things and players were popping up and gambling. It was a strange 10 minutes but we have got the players to deal with it.

"We all know the basis of this team is the backbone of the team, they always give you a platform to go and win the game and that is what they have done again today, even though other people get the plaudits."

Wrexham wasted some good chances in the second half as they began the festive period with a goalless draw at troubled Aldershot Town on Saturday.

But the Reds were far more ruthless in front of goal as they put big-spending Salford, who finished the game with 10 men after Thomas Walker was shown a second yellow card in the second half, to the sword.

"Clinical finishing was the difference," said Barrow.

"I think that frustration was the fact that we knew we were the superior team, particularly second half, at Aldershot.

"One or two players hit their best form today which is always great.

"We basically told them to take the handbrake off and that is what they have done."