SAM RICKETTS admits Wrexham produced their worst performance of the season against Hartlepool United but says winning when not at your best is a fantastic trait to have.

Wrexham won 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten record at The Racecourse but it was far from comfortable despite Pools playing the second half with 10 men.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser and looked more likely to score but Wrexham held on for another victory which takes the Reds up to second in the National League on the same number of points as leaders Salford City, although Ricketts wasn't happy with the display.

"Head and shoulders it was the worst we have played this season," said Ricketts.

"I said to the players, the fact that we have still won the game having played for our standards as bad as that, is a really good trait.

"I am not happy with the performance at all but I am absolutely delighted with the three points."

Ricketts was pleased to pick up three points despite playing so poorly but admits Wrexham will need to perform better in the push for promotion.

"That isn't the level of control I want in our game, far from it, and if you play like that every week you won't be successful, simple as that," said Ricketts.

"We need to play like we have done for the other 19 games including the cup games before today.

"We will be fine, we will be back. It is a brilliant trait that we have won having played like this."

Pools captain Andrew Davies was shown a straight red card just before the interval after head-butting Stuart Beavon, with Ricketts insisting referee Martin Woods was left with little alternative but to dismiss the defender.

"It was a bit of a coming together with Stuart and their centre-half," said Ricketts.

"I think Andrew Davies thinks that Stuart has landed on him and deliberately tried to hurt him which he hasn't done at all and has reacted to that.

"As we all know you can't react in football otherwise you will get sent-off."

Wrexham failed to make the man advantage count and Ricketts said: "You are on a hiding to nothing.

"When you play against 10 men you are expected to win, you are expected to dominate the game.

"They moved the ball really well, they took more chances at the back, defended one v one and we didn't capitalise on that.

"They want to take more chances and more risk, then we have to make sure you punish that and if you don't, the game carries on and it becomes a scrap like it did right up until the last minute."

Ricketts knows a crucial second goal to kill the game off would have made life much easier for his side.

"Playing against 10 men shouldn't really have changed our philosophy at all," said Ricketts.

"We didn't really hurt them enough second half but saying that, we had three or four really good opportunities to score another goal and we didn't.

"If you don't, the game becomes a battle like it was.

"Ultimately it comes down to if you don't get the second goal, the opposition will gamble and take more chances.

"They are always in it, it is one slip, one unbelievable bit of skill or something which results in a goal for them which is why it becomes a little bit edgy.

"The players should be gaining confidence knowing that we were as bad as we have been and we still won the game."

Luke Young's third goal in five games after 21 minutes proved to be the winner and Ricketts says the midfielder is reaping the rewards for getting more shots away.

"Luke is in a real rich vein of form, three goals in the last five games," said Ricketts.

"He strikes such a nice ball. I have been telling him to shoot all season and all of a sudden I think he has got some confidence to do so and he has proved the match-winner."

Fellow midfielders Akil Wright, Luke Summerfield and Brad Walker have all opened their account for the season in recent weeks and Ricketts is pleased the goals are being shared around.

"I am just delighted the goals are coming in and the best thing is that we really are sharing them around," said Ricketts.

"That means we are not relying on one player, we are not relying on two or three.

"Anyone can chip in so that is another really good trait."

Wrexham go into another home game against Gateshead on Saturday with Ricketts delighted with the lofty position.

"It is a really important win," added Ricketts.

"We are in a really good position after 18 games, 38 points is magnificent.

"Poor performance but another win, another clean sheet and we roll onto Saturday."