Notts. County 2 Wrexham 1

Last updated : 18 November 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Two lightning strikes gave Notts County their first home league win since September and inflicted on luckless Wrexham their sixth consecutive away defeat.

Steve Thompson, the Notts manager, had issued a rallying call prior to kick-off saying "the season start's here - let's get off to a flying start".

His comments came in the aftermath of County's exits from both the Carling and FA Cups in the previous week and the need to get back on track in the fight for points.

But Wrexham, belying their lowly position with some skilful and dogged football, were well in the contest for much of the first half and in Josh Johnson had the most creative player on the pitch.

Three times the skilful wide man from Trinidad got through and tested Notts goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington only to be denied each time.

Out of the blue Notts swept into the lead on 38 minutes. There seemed no real danger when Jason Lee won possession, parted to Junior Mendes and - with Wrexham appealing for offside - the ball was fed to the unmarked Andy Parkinson.

Parkinson crashed the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal at Meadow Lane since his return to the Club in the summer. Visiting keeper Michael Ingham was left without a chance whereas a little earlier he had saved superbly from Mendes when Parkinson put him through.

Mendes forced Ingham into another save early in the second half - an unorthodox one off Ingham's legs.

But on 61 minutes Notts doubled their advantage. David Pipe doggedly pursued Darren Ferguson , robbed him and supplied Jason Lee who finished coolly.

Within five minutes Wrexham hauled themselves back into the game through the ever-dangerous Johnson who whipped past Dan Gleeson and Mike Edwards and from his teasing cross Chris Llewellyn headed through.

Wrexham battled to the finish but, once again, it was not to be their day on a ground where they have now won only twice in 23 League visits.