Two separate teams were in action on Saturday as Little took the opportunity to give all his fit players a 90 minute run-out.

Wrexham were beaten 2-1 by The New Saints in the morning, with the Welsh Premier League outfit scoring two second half goals after the Reds took a first minute lead through Marc Williams.

But Carl Tremarco and Shaun Whalley scored their first goals for the club to hand Wrexham a 2-0 victory at Colwyn Bay in the afternoon.

And with just one friendly remaining at Stafford Rangers on Saturday, Little is getting the feel of what his preferred starting line-up will be when the new season begins in 12 days.

"There were some things that were pleasing and we have had a lot of food for thought," said Little today.

"We have had two separate games, two different types of teams from a similar background - one who really tested us and the other was a physical encounter for 40 minutes or so.

"It has been a good, worthwhile exercise. Some people have come through it very well, others have just fallen a little bit below the level that we wanted to be honest.

"We are still preparing for the season. We are not preparing for perfection yet, just looking for fitness levels and trying to win a couple of games.

"We won and lost one but in fairness to the team we played in the morning, they were a very good side against some of our players who possibly might find themselves on the fringe of things.

"Next weekend against Stafford will probably be a team that we might want to play in the league afterwards."

Wrexham dictated the first half at Colwyn Bay and carved out a two goal lead but the Unibond League side made an improvement after the break.

And although the Reds ran out deserved winners, Little was disappointed his side did not add to their tally.

"I thought the passing in the second half was not as good as I would have liked it to have been," said Little.

"It was very competitive first half and at half-time we said we wanted to try and win the second as well.

"We were strong enough at the back but they had the two best chances in the second half.

"I was disappointed with that as I would have liked to have kicked on in the second half and scored a couple of goals.

"It was 90 minutes for everybody in two different settings and in fairness to the team in the afternoon they handled it better.

"But the team in the morning for 60 minutes was great, then they switched off and pressed that destruct button which we have seen in the past.

"The afternoon team almost did that in the second half but I thought we were always in control of that one, and always had something in reserve to come up with something."

Little was pleased to see his side in the goals having only found the back of the net once in three previous friendlies.

And Little said there were plenty of positives to take out of the Colwyn Bay win.

"Carl Tremarco has started to quite fancy himself on a few free-kicks and getting forward," added Little.

"Jefferson Louis had got through and it was debatable who was going to strike but Shaun Whalley nipped in and got a good goal.

"Shaun looked very lively and was fouled a lot when he got through, and big Jeff was a handful.

"There are a few things we would like to brush up on but Jeff is something that we did not have last season and that is pleasing.

"Kyle Critchell in the second half, he looks a decent player. Kyle did very well and it is a shame that he is suspended for the first three games.

"The right combination at the back will be useful. Darren Kempson looked very strong and he played the game with a dead leg. We have got a couple of combinations at centre-back that we can be pleased with so overall I am reasonably happy."

- Wrexham's Blue Square Premier match against Altrincham at Moss Lane on Bank Holiday Monday August 25 will now start at 12 noon.

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.