Wrexham bounced back from their FA Cup exit to record a fourth win in four league outings under Saunders as they beat Lewes 2-0 at The Racecourse on Saturday.

Victory means eighth place Wrexham are just five points behind leaders Kettering but with a game in hand.

Shaun Whalley got a touch to Ashley Westwood's header to give Wrexham a first half lead and Mike Williams made the points safe after the break.

Saunders ended up losing a bet with Whalley because the winger scored but he was just pleased to see his side winning.

"I made a silly bet there with Shaun which has cost me £100," said Saunders today.

"And Mike cost me £50 so I don't know if I'm allowed to have these bets!

"It is getting expensive – but I don't mind. Three points is more important than any of that.

"I am just really pleased that we have come back.

"Kettering have lost today so that gap is getting is shorter.

"I said to the players that if we win today we will send a message out to the rest of the league, and we have done."

Saunders was delighted with the response from his players after their cup defeat at Eastwood, but he believes the margin of victory against Lewes should have been bigger.

"I thought the reaction of the players after they frightened the life out of me was good," said Saunders.

"I said there was a slap in the face around the corner and we got one definitely on Tuesday.

"And then I thought, see what happens today. Let's see who wants the ball and let's see who is prepared to say, 'mister manager I want to stay in the team'.

"And I thought they fought really well.

"I thought we could have scored seven or eight.

"In the other games we have had four chances and scored three. If there is anything to be disappointed about it is that we weren't ruthless enough."

Both goals came from corners taken by Wes Baynes and Saunders praised the right midfielder's contribution.

"We scored two goals from corners which we have worked on and was really pleasing," said Saunders.

"Wes has got great delivery, which shocks me sometimes the way he hits it too far, because he has got a great right foot.

"His delivery for the two goals was spot on and I thought he played well.

"Wes was one of the ones who reacted well.

"I thought Marc Williams ran his socks off and was brilliant.

"Marc is the type of player that any manager would want because you know what you are going to get from him.

"Big Jeff made a difference today coming back after being injured, he is a handful for anybody."

Saunders handed debuts to two new loan signings who completed their moves on Friday.

Right-back Ritchie de Laet, 20, has joined from Stoke City, and Cypriot midfielder Angelos Tsiaklis, 18, has come in from Manchester City, and Saunders believes there is more to come from the pair.

"They did well but I think they can play better and there is more in them," said Saunders.

"Obviously they are playing with players they have never played with before and I am having to shout things on to them that we have had two days to try and work on.

"The other players have had three or four weeks to try and get their heads round it.

"All in all I thought their effort and enthusiasm was all I am asking for, and all the supporters want. And you could see it today.

"Obviously passes go astray, crosses go behind the goal and chances are missed that would normally be scored.

"But all I can ask for is the effort and enthusiasm, and we got that today."

Delighted with the commitment of his players against Lewes, Saunders has not ruled out more signings in his quest to keep improving Wrexham: "I am trying to improve all the time," he added.

"I have been brought into the club to try and improve things and I won' be sitting happy with anything.

"We scored two from corners, why didn't we score three. We won 2-0, we should have won by six.

"When teams get a chance against us I take it personally – how have they got a chance against us because everybody should be switched on.

"The players are learning and hopefully they can keep improving.

"You can't play well every week but you can give 100 per cent every week.

"You can't find a Wrexham player when you are passing every time, but if you are finding them most of the time you have got a chance."