BRYAN HUGHES is looking forward to having a full week on the training ground before Wrexham continue their promotion challenge against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.

Hughes was appointed manager on Wednesday, replacing Graham Barrow who resigned the previous day, and he got off to a winning start as the Reds beat Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0 at the weekend.

Substitute Stuart Beavon's 74th minute goal sealed victory and took Wrexham up to third in the National League, two points behind leaders Leyton Orient.

Having only taken two training sessions following his appointment ahead of Saturday's game, Hughes is pleased to have more time to work with his players before facing Havant at Westleigh Park.

"We have just got to prepare well this week," said Hughes.

"It was a tough game on Saturday and took a lot out of the players, they put everything on the line.

"I will make sure people are ready and right. We picked up a couple of little niggles so we will have to make sure that those guys are right.

"The beauty of it for me is it gives me a full week to prepare with the players. I only had 48 hours before Dagenham so it gives us a good chance to prepare and get ready for Havant."

Hughes, who has become Wrexham's third manager of the season after Barrow and Sam Ricketts, was pleased with the reaction from his players.

"It was massive to get off to a good start. I was delighted with the win and the response from the players," said Hughes.

"It was a difficult game. Dagenham were coming into it in a rich vein of form, 30 points from 45 is like promotion winning form, so we were wary of them.

"We had to wait long periods to try and break them down. They tried to stifle us, we just had to be patient and we got there in the end.

"The introduction of the substitutes just gave us a little bit of life and caused them a few more problems, and the scoreline could have been more handsome in the end, but I am very happy with 1-0."

Wrexham missed a number of late chances to make the game safe and Hughes hopes his side are more clinical in the final 14 games.

"It was a good goal that won us the game," said Hughes. "It could have been a lot easier with the chances we had but I will take a 1-0 in my first game all day.

"The aim now is to try and finish them chances off.

"When we are getting them at that critical stage and make life a bit easier for us, and get a few more goals on the board."

Akil Wright failed to take four good chances as Wrexham kept pressing for more goals.

"That is testament to the fitness levels of the team," added Hughes.

"We kept going and we looked quite strong in the final 15-20 minutes.

"I would be more disappointed if people weren't getting the opportunities to have strikes at goal or chances.

"They missed them, Akil could have had the match-ball himself with the chances he had.

"Akil is going to get them chances, he is full of energy and is a box to box midfield player and I am sure he will get a few more going forward."