NICKY DEVERDICS has endured a frustrating season but admits things changed for the better when Bryan Hughes was appointed manager.

Opportunities were limited under Sam Ricketts, and things didn't improve when he left to take over as Shrewsbury boss and Graham Barrow was named as his successor.

Deverdics was used sparingly by Barrow, who resigned at the start of February, and Hughes was unveiled as the Reds' third manager of the season,

The 31-year-old has had to bide his time but he finally made his first league start since the start of September as Wrexham beat Maidstone 1-0 on Saturday.

"It has been a frustrating season," said Deverdics. "I got the injury in pre-season and the lads were doing well so I was unlucky the way it panned out.

"But recently I feel things have changed and I have been used a lot more, and deserved to be used a lot more.

"It was a case of knowing where I was under Graham whereas under the new manager, it has all been positive.

"I have had good conversations with him, it was just a case of he wanted to go with more strikers in the squad etc, and I have been unlucky, but my chance has finally come. I was happy to finally play.

"After not having so much football, I put my performance into perspective and I thought I did alright.

"I have been pushing and pushing, and said my piece, and after the recent results the gaffer decided to put me in."

Deverdics, who made a rare start under Barrow in the 3-0 FA Trophy win against Boston in December, was overlooked when Wrexham lost five games in a row without scoring the following month.

It was playing under Barrow that Deverdics could not see light at the end of the tunnel.

"There have been times this season where I have had to shake my head and wonder what's going on," said Deverdics.

"I have really got to that point, especially under Graham.

"Even after the Boston game I was positive, I was involved in all of the goals.

"Yes, it was a team from the league below but they put a full strength team out and we ended up beating them comfortably 3-0.

"We don't often score three goals so the fact we were 3-0 up after half an hour should tell you something.

"Then I was out of the squad and out of the picture again straight after that."

Deverdics appeared as a substitute under Hughes when Wrexham scored an injury time equaliser at Gateshead on February 23 and felt he should have played a bigger part in the aftermath of the draw.

"I felt harshly done by after Gateshead," said Deverdics.

"I came on, I wouldn't say I set the world alight but made a difference in the game and we got a draw.

"I ended up being out of the squad the next couple of games and I didn't take that very well at all.

"But I kept going, kept training professionally and I finally got my chance."

Deverdics made just his 11th league appearance of the season against Maidstone, with the majority coming as a substitute.

Although lacking sharpness, Deverdics admits time is against him with just seven games remaining in the push for promotion.

"I got 55 minutes which did me the world of good," said Deverdics. "Minutes in my legs can only help.

"I want to get as sharp as I can, as fast as I can, I need to be at a level where I know I can be.

"I haven't time or the luxury of games to do that, I need to do it right now because it is a major time in the season where we need results so I need to be at my best as soon as I can."

Deverdics is hoping third placed Wrexham, one point behind leaders Leyton Orient who have two games in hand, can remain on course for the title.

"Ideally we will still be right in the mix and win the league at the end of the season," said Deverdics.

"That is everyone's main goal, the play-offs are a secondary thing."

Wrexham travel to Hartlepool on Saturday, the club Deverdics left in January last year to join Wrexham.

Pools were close to going out of business when Deverdics was allowed to move on for an undisclosed fee, and is unsure of how he will treated by supporters at Victoria Park.

"I don't know what kind of reception I will get," said Deverdics.

"I left for reasons that weren't anything to do with disliking the football club or the fans, it was other stuff that was going on.

"Things were taken out of context when I left by the media up there so they stirred the pot a bit.

"But I have got nothing but respect for Hartlepool, I enjoyed my time there under difficult circumstances and moved onto different things."