AFTER more than five hours of goalless frustration, Wrexham finally found the back of the net against Peterborough on Saturday.

But it took a second-half strike from club captain Brian Carey to bring the Racecourse to life after a dour first 45 minutes.

Despite difficult, blustery conditions, Dragons boss Denis Smith offered no excuses for a first-half display that saw many home fans leave at half-time for a spot of Christmas shopping.

Smith said: 'I don't think what happened in the first half will ever replace football, but the second half was a lot better.'

However, goalkeepers Andy Dibble and Mark Tyler were not merely spectators. The Posh 'keeper had to save from Lee Jones in the fifth minute before Dibble made a good stop from Richard Logan just minutes later.

Long-range efforts from Steve Thomas and Gareth Jellyman were the best both teams could muster as the half progressed, although Chris Armstrong might have done better with a header when well-placed in the six-yard box.

After an interval pep talk described by Smith as just short of blistering, Wrexham emerged for the second period with Smith's words of wisdom ringing in their ears. They could have gone 2-0 up within five minutes of the restart.

With the wind at their backs, the Dragons enjoyed a promising spell of pressure which, for the first time, rattled their opponents' previously composed defensive posture.

A partially-cleared Steve Thomas corner fell nicely for Paul Barrett 20 yards out and his first-time volley was not that far over the crossbar.

Then a superb lay-off from the hard-working Llewellyn put Jones beyond his marker, but he drove his shot wide.

Llewellyn himself went close with a valiant diving header from Carlos Edwards' inviting cross as the increased tempo brought the previously dozing crowd to life.

Another slick passing move between Jones and Carlos Edwards gave Barrett a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, but David Farrell's last-ditch tackle denied him.

But a 67th minute free-kick finally unlocked the visitors' defence when Jim Whitley floated the ball into a crowded penalty area and Carey jumped highest to send a looping header past Tyler.

Peterborough, who arrived in Wrexham boasting the best away record in the division, briefly threatened to step up a gear and showed more ambition going forward, but a second Dragons goal within eight minutes sealed the game.

It was an all-Trinidad affair as Carlos Edwards released Hector Sam - a 70th minute replacement for Jones - who clipped the ball into space and lifted it delightfully over the advancing Tyler and into the net. WREXHAM: Dibble, Pejic, Carey, Lawrence, C Edwards, Whitely, Thomas (Crowell 76), Barrett, P Edwards, L Jones (Sam 70) Llewellyn. Subs: Whitfield, M Jones, McNulty Referee: David Pugh Attendance: 3,033