WREXHAM kept their league status intact for another day with a battling performance against fellow strugglers Notts County.
The one moment of quality in the 90 minutes saw skipper Neil Roberts fire home a precious winner from a great Wes Baynes cross.
Brian Little made wholesale changes in the starting line up with six changes from the side that was so poor at Shrewsbury last Sunday.
Ward, Evans, Taylor, Baynes and Marc Williams were the only survivors with Brian Little giving youth a chance in the clash between the oldest league clubs in both Wales and England.
On a cold, breezy day in North Wales Notts County kicked off attacking the Kop end of the ground. Steve Evans picked up a nasty gash over his eye clearing an early cross and received treatment on the touchline from Mel Pejic before disappearing into the dressing room. On the pitch both sides sparred for supremacy in a scrappy opening.
The first corner of the game was won by Wes Baynes on six minutes but Wrexham wasted it. The Reds were still down to 10 men, with Evans still off as Notts County won a corner. Neil Mackenzie's corner was volleyed wide by Jason Lee. Steve Evans returned to the action on 10 minutes with his head bandaged just in time to help successfully defend another corner from the visitors.
The lively Wes Baynes fired in a good low cross on 11 minutes but both Neil Roberts and Marc Williams failed to make contact and the ball was cleared. Three minutes later Baynes cut in from the right and hit a solid left foot shot into Hoult's chest.
Gavin Ward did well to stand up on 15 minutes as Danny Crow broke clear, Ward saved with his legs and Wrexham scrambled it clear for a corner. Ryan Jarvis broke into the area a minute later, but lost control and Wrexham conceded yet another corner which Ward claimed impressively. Despite early territorial advantage Wrexham were looking shaky at the back.
With 17 minutes gone Michael Johnson did superbly at the back for County to get a challenge in on Neil Roberts as the skipper tried to get on the end of a good cross from Baynes.
On 21 minutes Mackenzie's corner was cleared back out to him and he drilled a low shot wide of Ward's goal, but the quality of the play had not been good in the opening quarter of the match with both sides giving the ball away far too often.
The majority of the play was concentrated in the middle third with no quality final ball from either side. Notts County won another corner on 33 minutes, it was well delivered by Mackenzie and Levi Mackin headed clear under pressure.
Wrexham's young players were certainly putting in plenty of effort with Wes Baynes being the pick of the bunch, but whether it was nerves or the bumpy pitch you had to say the quality was not there.
In the one added minute Marc Williams fired an effort well wide of the target but the half ended goalless.
Second Half
Notts County made a change at the interval with Paul Mayo replacing Michael Johnson. Wrexham kicked off attacking the Kop and in the opening minute of the half Wes Baynes won a corner. Matty Done swung it over and it was headed clear for Wes Baynes to hit a right foot shot well wide.
Done then made a good run at the visiting defence but his left foot shot was easily held by Russell Hoult. Wrexham had made a far better start to the second half.
Notts County made their second change on 51 minutes with Dudfield replacing Danny Crow, with his first touch he tricked Mike Williams and fired in a good shot which Ward appeared to tip over, but a goal kick was awarded. County then won a corner, taken by Weston and headed wide by Stephen Hunt from a good position.
On 59 minutes, Neil Roberts was fouled on the edge of the area as the crowd got behind the players. Wes Baynes fired in a good cross which County defended well and the danger passed. Wrexham were still putting in tremendous effort but the quality in the final third was still missing.
With 63 minutes gone a superb free kick by Mackenzie, saw Lee beat Ward to the cross the ball fell to Jarvis who sliced his shot wide from a good position. Two minutes later Matty Done's cross picked out Marc Williams but the header was poor and easily held by Hoult.
Notts County almost took the lead on 66 minutes after what appeared to be a mix up from a free kick, the ball was crossed in eventually by Mackenzie and from a header the ball was cleared from under the bar by Steve Evans, then Lee's effort bounced just wide.
With 20 minutes left Conall Murtagh and Danny Williams came on to replace Levi Mackin and Andy Fleming in a like for like swap. Wrexham quickly won another corner, taken by Matty Done and headed clear to Wes Baynes who drilled in a fierce right foot shot just wide of the target.
On 75 minutes, Wrexham survived a spell of pressure from a Weston corner, Done broke clear after a good pass by Murtagh and was crudely fouled by Canoville who was booked.
Wes Baynes drilled in the free kick and Neil Roberts gleefully volleyed home from close range on 77 minutes. Wes Baynes was booked for a foul on Edwards.
The excellent Baynes drilled another fine effort just over the bar with nine minutes left, then Mike Williams made a fine challenge to deny Dudfield and Ward made a brilliant parry from Lee's header as County tried desperately to get level in an end to end period of the game. Neil Roberts then set up Marc Williams on 83 minutes, but Hoult made a great save from the young strikers left foot strike.
Ian McParland made his last change bringing on Wayne Corden for Ryan Jarvis with four minutes left, but it was Wrexham who nearly added to their lead when Hoult made a fine save from Marc Williams curling shot. Steve Evans, a colossus at the back today, made a brave block from Butcher's shot as County pressed forward.
There were three added minutes during which Shaun Pejic picked up a booking and Gareth Evans replaced Matty Done. Richard Butcher fired over from 20 yards to the delight of the Wrexham fans and The Red Dragons league survival continues as they held on to pick up three points.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Gavin Ward, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor, Wes Baynes, Levi Mackin (Danny Williams 70), Andy Fleming (Conall Murtagh 70), Matty Done (Gareth Evans 90), Neil Roberts, Marc Williams.
Subs: Michael Jones, Michael Proctor.
Notts County (4-4-2): Russell Hoult, Lee Canoville, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson (Paul Mayo 46), Stephen Hunt, Ryan Jarvis (Wayne Corden 86), Neil MacKenzie, Richard Butcher, Miles Weston, Jason Lee, Danny Crow (Lawrie Dudfield 51).
Subs: Adam Tann, Spencer Weir-Daley.
Referee: Anthony Bates (Staffs)
Attendance: 4,076
Away: 628
Bookings -
Wrexham: Wes Baynes (foul), Shaun Pejic (foul)
Notts County: Lee Canoville (foul)
