THIS was the kind of pre-season tested that Wrexham needed and the Reds got the desired result.

Bryan Hughes' side headed to Telford United on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Portimonense SC during Wrexham's pre-season training camp on the Algarve.

Although beaten by the Portuguese top-flight outfit, Wrexham more than matched their hosts and earned praise for the way they handled a tricky assignment.

Telford, operating one division lower than the Reds in the National League North, were always going to be a different type of proposition.

Summer signing Leighton McIntosh gave Wrexham an early lead but it proved to be a competitive affair with Telford rising to the challenge.

Telford had the better of the second half, even missing a penalty, but Wrexham stuck to their game-plan amongst the many changes and a late goal from Bobby Grant secured victory.

It was hard fought and Telford didn't lie down, but exactly the kind of examination Wrexham need ahead of a 12th campaign in non-league and manager Bryan Hughes welcomed it.

"It was perfect for us," said Hughes. "It was a long week in Portugal so this was a perfect test for us.

"It is a bit more realism when we come into the National League. Telford caused us a few more problems and turned us many times.

"They got us into that defensive structure which at times we are going to have to deal with, and at times I thought we dealt with it really well."

Wrexham earned praised for the way they raised their game and made it difficult for Portimonense when an early goal proved to be the difference between the sides.

Back on British soil and Hughes saw a resilient side to Wrexham's game.

"That is why we have built this pre-season schedule," said Hughes, who continued with a 3-4-3 system.

"It was great being in Portugal, playing against a Premier League team and doing really well.

"But today was about getting back to basics a little bit, testing the players in the formation I am looking to adopt and a lot of personnel changes as well to start with so it was about giving other people opportunities to play in the system and adapt to it.

"I think there was some good stuff on show all the way through the game in certain spells; not as consistent as we were over in Portugal in the system but as a defensive structure we were very solid.

"Going forward we can improve in certain aspects but a really good work out for us."

Wrexham, heading into their fourth pre-season friendly, took the lead after 12 minutes.

Summer signing Leighton McIntosh latched onto JJ Hooper's superb through ball and he confidently fired past Andy Wycherley to open his account for the club.

Both teams threatened in an end to end encounter and Telford came close to an equaliser at the start of the second half as Marcus Dinanga got ahead of Christian Dibble and the ball reached Aaron Williams whose header was cleared off the line by Jake Lawlor.

Telford almost equalised as Theo Streete's effort was brilliant saved by Dibble who then conceded a penalty as he brought down Dinanga in the area.

However, Dibble redeemed himself by keeping out Dinanga's spot kick.

Dibble was being kept busy as he denied Zak Lilly and Adam Walker but Wrexham saw Telford goalkeeper Corey Addai perform heroics by pulling off a fantastic double save to deny Grant and Jason Oswell.

But the Reds made it 2-0 in the 88th minute as a corner wasn't cleared and Shaun Pearson fed Grant who fired home.

Telford United: Wycherley, Streete, Sutton, White, Daniels, Cowans, Deeney, Walker, Knights, Williams, Dinanga. Subs: Lowe, Addai, Morley, McQuilkin, Barnes-Homer, Brown, Royle, Lilly, Lait.

Wrexham: Dibble (Trailist B 71); Lawlor (Beaumont 71), Barton (Pearson 71), Carrington (Jennings 46); Trialist A (Rutherford 61), Sargent, Young (Wright 71), Thorn; Harris (Summerfield 61), Hooper (Oswell 61), McIntosh (Grant 61).

Attendance: 927 (348 from Wrexham).