The big kick off finally arrived and Wrexham delivered the goods, running out 5-0 winners against pre-season title favourites Stevenage.

But make no mistake about it, this was not as emphatic as the scoreline suggests in a match that saw both teams reduced to ten men.

Wrexham led 1-0 at the break but it had been an end to end first half with Stevenage also threatening goals of their own.

The Reds needed the luxury of a second goal and when that arrived on 66 minutes, Stevenage began to fall away.

A further three strikes ensued in the last 20 minutes and it was a victory to savour following the disappointment of last season's relegation.

But no-one will be getting too carried away at The Racecourse on the back of the first three points of the season.

Yes, it was a terrific way to start and confidence will have risen after seeing off one of the fancied teams.

There is still a long way to go and Little will make sure feet are firmly on the ground ahead of Thursday's trip to York City.

But new look Wrexham certainly have the ingredients of a side that can do something in the Blue Square Premier this season.

We can only hope.

It was no surprise that Little opted to stick with the same starting eleven that beat Stafford Rangers 6-0 in the final pre-season friendly.

Gavin Ward donned the goalkeeper gloves with Simon Spender, Darran Kempson, Nat Brown and Carl Tremarco forming a four-man defence.

Simon Brown, Levi Mackin, Tom Kearney and Sam Aiston filled the midfield positions with Jefferson Louis and Shaun Whalley lining up in attack.

Despite Wrexham enjoying the better of the opening exchanges, the Reds failed to make inroads in the final third, but the home defence was also untroubled.

However, Wrexham's first shot on target resulted in the opening goal after 18 minutes.

Whalley was brought down by Mark Albrighton as Wrexham pressed and Kearney's 25 yard free-kick took a wicked deflection off the wall and beat keeper Ashley Bayes who was sent the wrong way.

Stevenage immediately carved out their first real opening and right-back Michael Bostwick's long range drive was turned away for a corner by keeper Ward.

Back came Wrexham and Spender picked out Whalley whose centre only just evaded Aiston with the goal at this mercy.

Louis failed to take advantage of a Simon Brown cross in the 31st minute for the Reds , seeing his header blocked, while Daryl McMahon brought a comfortable diving save out of Ward as the game swung from end to end.

Kempson headed a Kearney free-kick just over the bar before the break but although Ward tipped an Albrighton header over the bar in injury time, it remained 1-0 to Wrexham.

Louis failed to convert a Whalley cross from close range at the start of the second half while McMahon sliced wide at the other end.

Whalley almost made it 2-0 after 59 minutes but his curling 25 yard effort clipped the top of the bar.

But Stevenage were reduced to ten men just 60 seconds later when striker Steve Morison was shown a straight red card after clashing with Kempson.

Tenacious play by Kearney presented Whalley with an opportunity that was deflected wide, and Wrexham scored the second goal from the resulting corner.

Kearney delivered the corner and keeper Bayes could not prevent Louis's header from crossing the line.

Ward had to be alert to deny Lee Boylan but Wrexham were also reduced to 10 men when Mackin was shown a second yellow card after lunging in on Ronnie Henry.

However, Wrexham made it 3-0 in the 71st minute when Kearney put Whalley through on goal and he lifted the ball over advancing keeper Bayes.

Louis almost capitalised on a slip in the Stevenage defence but Bayes was equal to the task, and he also denied the striker from a Reds' corner.

Goal number four came five minutes from time when substitute Christian Smith headed home Kearney's corner.

And there was still time for Wrexham to make it 5-0 when Simon Brown fed Marc Williams and the substitute beat Bayes before firing into an empty net.

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.