PAUL RUTHERFORD insists he should be credited with the goal which set his side on the way to victory against Gateshead and took Wrexham top of the league.

Sam Ricketts' men triumphed 3-1 at The Racecourse and hold a one point lead at the summit over Leyton Orient after extending the unbeaten run to nine games.

The opener came in the 18th minute when Rutherford's cross from the by-line was turned into his own net by Heed defender Mike Williamson but the Reds' midfielder is classing it as his goal.

"It is definitely my goal," said Rutherford. "None of them want the own goal and I want a goal.

"I have fired it to (secretary) Geraint Parry and fired it to a few people to try and pull some strings to get it as my goal!

"It has gone down in some circles as an own goal but they are wrong!

"Whether people look back at it and say it is an own goal, that is fine, but I want the goal."

The recalled Rutherford also supplied the cross that was headed home by Brad Walker midway through the second half to double Wrexham's advantage.

"I saw an opportunity to put the ball in the box, fortunately it was a good ball and Brad attacked it really well," said Rutherford.

"I saw the goalkeeper coming and I thought who was going to get their first but Brad was really brave and got the flick into the net.

"I see it as a goal and an assist, and a good team performance as well."

Although Gateshead reduced the deficit late on, substitute Rekeil Pyke's injury time strike sealed victory which took Wrexham back to the top of the National League for the first time since the start of September.

Although delighted with the result, manager Sam Ricketts is not getting carried away with Wrexham's lofty position ahead of Sunday's FA Cup first round tie at Weston-super-Mare.

"It is important but it is not the be all and end all," said Ricketts.

"I am more concerned where we are after 46 games, not 19, but it shows what we are doing as a side, how hard the players are working and how well they are playing to be sat where we are.

"We know we have to get better and today was a step in the right direction in terms of improving and controlling a game."

Wrexham have taken 41 points from their opening 19 games, a statistic Ricketts is rightfully proud of.

"Really good, we are averaging over two points a game which at any standard you are giving yourselves a great chance," said Ricketts, who confirmed winger Jordan Maguire-Drew was not injured after failing to make the matchday squad.

"We are just ahead of that which is really good but no let up.

"We continue onto the FA Cup and we prepare just as we have done for every league game, going there fully wanting to win the game."