DAWID SZCZEPANIAK has found opportunities limited but he believes his game has improved since joining Wrexham thanks to the two goalkeepers ahead of him in the pecking order.

Polish-born Szczepaniak joined the Reds in the summer following a successful trial having spent last season with Morecambe and previously played for Airbus.

With first choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton still recovering from an ankle injury, Christian Dibble has started all nine league matches this term with Szczepaniak a regular on the substitutes bench.

But Szczepaniak made his first start on Saturday as he helped Wrexham beat Ayr United in the Scottish Challenge Cup third round.

Although he has had to bide his time, Szczepaniak is seeing the benefit of training with two goalkeepers he rates very highly.

"I am just happy that I can train with Dibs," said Szczepaniak.

"Unfortunately Rob is struggling at the moment but I am just waiting for him to come back because I want to improve.

"Rob and Dibs are great goalkeepers and I am not going to lie, they are better than me.

"But by training with them I can get better every single day.

"I hope that I get more chances. My dream is to play in the league for Wrexham."

Szczepaniak was happy with the way he performed on debut.

"I am very happy that Bryan Hughes trusted me for Saturday's game," said Szczepaniak.

"I think I played well. I am just happy that I could help my team to go through."

Youth team player Jack Bickerstaff put Wrexham ahead but after Szczepaniak pulled off an outstanding save, Ayr equalised from the resulting corner to take the game to a penalty shoot-out.

"I was happy with that save but we conceded straight after it which was disappointing," said Szczepaniak.

"Maybe I could catch that next time instead of tip it over the bar."

Both teams scored their opening five penalties but as the shoot-out went to sudden death, Szczepaniak saved Luke McCowan's spot-kick before Jake Lawlor scored to put Wrexham into the last 16.

And Szczepaniak revealed the secret to his crucial penalty save.

"I dived three times on my left side and I thought 'I am going to keep diving on my left because someone in their team will shoot down that side'," said Szczepaniak.

"Then it happened and I made the save.

"I am happy that Jake scored his penalty because me and Jake are good friends."

Hughes praised Szczepaniak for his contribution as Wrexham reached the last 16 of the competition.

"Dawid was very accomplished throughout the game," said Hughes.

"His kicking got better as the game went on.

"I am sure he had a few nerves making his debut here but he came through with flying colours.

"It was a good save at the end with the penalty, nearly caused a riot in the area but that is just his emotion; he must have had nerves at the start and then to finish on a different emotion is probably hard to take for him.

"He did well throughout the game."