The Wales under 21 international defender was initially brought into the side for the 2-0 home victory against Darlington on February 9 in place of suspended captain Richard Hope.

Starting places followed against Peterborough, Grimsby Town, and then in Tuesday's return clash with Peterborough at The Racecourse, and Williams is delighted that manager Brian Little has kept faith with him this month.

"I suppose I was lucky to get my chance because Richard was suspended," said Williams today.

"In that situation, you know you need to do well or it could be your last game.

"You just have to try and keep your shirt and if you keep performing, there is no reason why you can't stay in like Brian Little said.

"It is a confidence booster. Richard is experienced and when you are ahead of him it does boost your confidence.

"The manager has got options with competition for places but it's great to be kept in the side."

Wrexham's run of three consecutive clean sheets – which all featured Williams as one of the three centre-backs alongside Steve Evans and Phil Bolland – came to an end on Tuesday against Peterborough.

Two second half free-kicks led to Peterborough halting that impressive sequence as Darren Ferguson's side ran out 2-0 winners – also ending Wrexham's six game unbeaten run.

Six points from safety, basement side Wrexham return to action on Saturday in a vital game against second from bottom Mansfield Town at The Racecourse.

And 20-year-old Williams, who has impressed Little with his recent performances, said the Reds have to aim for more clean sheets in their battle to avoid relegation.

"Defensively we have been sound and three clean sheets showed that," added Williams.

"If we keep getting clean sheets it gives the foundation for our midfielders and forwards to try and get a goal to win the game.

"You are always in the game if you don't concede and we have to take that into Saturday's game which is a very important one, and a six pointer.

"Mansfield have been picking up points and we have to concentrate on what we have been doing in that six game unbeaten run.

"If we carry that on I'm sure we won't be far away at the end of the season."

Despite being disappointed seeing Wrexham concede two free-kicks from set-pieces against Peterborough, Little was pleased with his side's defensive display.

"I thought we were quite solid in defence," said Little. "Steve did well, though he hurt his knee in the first half and we will have to check him out.

"Young Mike did great again and I thought Phil was very sharp, so defensively we were good.

"There are some areas where we can do a little bit better in, but against the better teams it is about trying to make it hard for them and I thought we did that against Peterborough.

"I am not disappointed about the performance, but the result is a blow to us."

But Little is likely to be without centre-half Evans for Saturday's clash against Mansfield after the big defender picked up a knee ligament injury in Tuesday's defeat against Posh.

Midfielder Danny Sonner, absent on Tuesday due to an achilles problem, could return for the visit of the Stags, while Neil Roberts is making good progress with the ankle injury he sustained in training last Wednesday but is more likely to be in contention for a return in the derby at Chester City on March 9.

- Matty Done scored from the spot and Marc Williams and Eifion Williams were both on target in Wrexham reserves' 3-2 win at Bury yesterday.