The result wasn't quite as comfortable as the scoreline suggested, as both sides had good chances chances and York saw a penalty brilliantly saved on the hour mark by Reds' keeper Gavin Ward.

Saunders made several surprise changes to the side that had beaten Forest Green on Saturday.

Silvio Spann was recalled on the right side of midfield, while new loan signing Joe Allen was drafted into midfield alongside Andy Fleming. Mike Williams partnered Steve Evans at the centre of defence, with Carl Tremarco slotting in at left-back. As expected, Neil Taylor was also appointed captain.

Th Reds - watched by a crowd of 5,170 - enjoyed the better of the first half, playing some neat football at times, with Fleming and Allen in particular impressing in the midfield. Spann saw a fine long range effort turned over by ex-Wrexham keeper Mike Ingham.

Louis also went close with a header, but as the first half drew to a close, York had two excellent chances to open the scoring but missed the target on both occasions.

As the second half got under way, the rain made conditions difficult. It was York who looked likely to open the scoring when Fleming was adjudged to have brought down Simon Rusk, only for Ward to save Craig Farrell's spot kick and rebound.

Five minutes later, Wrexham took the lead when Allen rifled home a shot from 18 yards out which Ingham got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

With 15 minutes left, York found themselves reduced to 10 men when Richard Brodie was sent off for a second bookable offence and Wrexham took full advantage, doubling their lead with five minutes to go.

Good work from Marc Williams and subsitute Levi Mackin set up Taylor, who turned the ball home.

There was still time for York to pull a goal back through Ben Wilkinson after a lapse in concentration from the Reds' defence, but Marc Williams secured three points for Wrexham in injury time with a fine long range effort after good work by Jefferson Louis.

Meanwhile, Wrexham's game with Histon on Saturday has been postponed due to international call-ups.

Wrexham: Ward, Baynes, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Tremarco, Spann (79 Mackin), Allen, Fleming, Taylor, Louis, Marc Williams

Subs not used: Anthony Williams, Kempson, Whalley, Proctor