CHRIS HOLROYD stressed the importance of restoring the feel-good factor and lifting the spirits of everyone at The Racecourse during a crucial stage of the season.

Wrexham went into Saturday's game against relegated Braintree with the promotion challenge faltering after suffering four defeats in five outings.

But Bryan Hughes' side secured a much needed 3-1 victory to remain among the National League leaders with four games to go.

Although Holroyd accepts recent form has been poor, the striker believes the win will give everybody a boost for the run-in.

"It is amazing in football how one win changes everyone's perspective on things," said Holroyd.

"It brings a bit of a feel-good factor.

"Results have been really disappointing and performances have if we are all honest so it was a great result and the performance was there as well."

Holroyd admits supporters were right to feel frustrated with recent results but he says the players were determined to get the promotion push back on track.

"That is understandable," said Holroyd.

"As a footballer you have got to be able to handle that kind of pressure; it is a club with a lot of expectation so you have got to be able to take that.

"No-one shied away from it, everyone knows we have not been there but it was a positive result and a positive performance."

Fourth placed Wrexham are outsiders for automatic promotion with a number of teams in a better position but Holroyd says the Reds will keep fighting to the end.

"It has been really tight and no-one has really run away with it," said Holroyd.

"Everyone thought Orient would win it with their games in hand but you just can't take anything for granted.

"We are still in there and still fighting so we will just see where it takes us.

"If is the play-offs and the way the structure is, you want to finish as high as you can.

"If we get a home tie, we will be really confident with the backing of our fans that we will do well."

Bobby Grant put Wrexham ahead and although Braintree levelled before the break, second half goals from Shaun Pearson and Akil Wright sealed victory.

"It was a good performance," said Holroyd. "We have shown little bits of why we are up at the top end of the league.

"One of the things that has been disappointing in recent weeks is that we have not produced that performance so there were encouraging signs.

"When we went 1-1, the lads knew from the chances we created in the first half that if we kept to our game plan, we would create more chances and eventually win the game which is what happened."

Holroyd stressed the importance of building on the win when Wrexham visit in-form Barnet on Saturday.

"People look at it and see Braintree have been relegated and think it is a foregone conclusion that we would win the game," added Holroyd.

"But they are fighting for their lives, they are playing for contracts so it is not as easy as it looks on paper.

"No-one can under-estimate what a good win it was to get us back on track at this important stage of the season.

"Going to Barnet, I think everyone will be feeling a little bit more confident than they have done the last couple of weeks."

n The Mold and District Reds are holding a race night on Friday April 26 at the Bryn Griffith (Top Club), High Street, Mold. Doors open at 7.30pm with the first race at 8pm.

Tickets are £5 and that includes a buffet. These can be purchased from a committee member by emailing moldreds@hotmail.co.uk, PJ Framing on Wrexham Street, Mold, the Bryn Griffith Club or KMA Tool Hire & Sales at Broncoed Business Park, Mold.

There will also be an auction and raffle, and everyone is welcome.