BOBBY GRANT hailed new Wrexham manager Bryan Hughes' substitutions - even if the changes came at his expense.

Former Reds' midfielder Hughes, who has taken charge after Graham Barrow resigned last Tuesday, got off to a winning start as his side beat Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0 at The Racecourse on Saturday.

Wrexham struggled to break down the stubborn Daggers and Hughes made a double substitution after 57 minutes with Grant and Cole Stockton replaced by Paul Rutherford and Stuart Beavon.

The duo made a big difference with Beavon going on to score the winner, and Grant acknowledged the impact they had on the game.

"You get lads who are your runners on the pitch," said Grant.

"With all due respect, I like to play football but we brought Ruthers and Bevs on who give you a different style of play.

"They affect the game differently and the game was crying out for that.

“I hold my hands up and when the manager did the right thing and made the decision to change things, it has paid off.

"In this league after 60-65 minutes, the game does open up because teams can only sit back for so long before you eventually get the chance you put away.

"Then they have to come out and try and attack you, and that played into our hands."

The game lacked chances in the first half, Grant coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot that brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by keeper Elliot Justham, although he felt he should have scored.

"I should be scoring that," said Grant.

"Credit to their keeper, it was a great save but I went home disappointed because I thought I should have put it away.

"If I keep getting in those right areas, hopefully I get more chances."

Wrexham created more opportunities after Beavon's 74th minute goal, with Akil Wright squandering four good chances, but the Reds secured a second win in a row to move up to third position, two points behind leaders Leyton Orient.

Although it wasn't the prettiest of games, Grant insists victory was all that mattered in the promotion push.

"It was a frustrating game," said Grant. "I don't think there was much football played, it was sort of back and forwards which a lot of games are in this league.

"If we put the chances away second half, we win four or five.

"But it was a massive result to follow up on the previous win; back to back wins is very important at this stage of the season.

"The most important thing was the three points and when the manager gets a full week on the training pitch, he will put his style of play on us and hopefully we will start playing a lot more attacking football."

With a number of teams in title contention, Grant says Wrexham have to focus on themselves and he is targeting another win at Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.

"I think a lot of teams play the same way which is why no-one is running away with the league," said Grant.

"It is very unpredictable, it is very tight and I think it is going to be like that until the end of the season.

"We have just got to concentrate on ourselves. We will be going to Havant full of confidence, preparing to get another massive three points.

"There are 14 games to go, we just need to take it game by game and if we continue doing what we are doing and add the fresh ideas from the manager, I am sure we will be okay."