ON a much-improved team display, Wrexham eventually picked up the three points their performance deserved at Port Vale.

Carlos Edwards' return to first team action saw new ideas down the right flank, but it was from Kevin Sharp's cross that Craig Faulconbridge headed just wide early on.

Port Vale didn't create much and it was a good debut by defender Dan Bennett. Dennis Lawrence continued his recent good form, with possibly his best game so far, winning everything in the air, but Bennett's composure on the ball made sure he slotted into the back line very easily.

It was Edwards who supplied the breakthrough with 10 minutes to go until half-time. He took the ball in his stride, beat his marker and lashed a right-footed drive past the helpless Goodlad.

The second half was a different story and Wrexham had to withstand waves of Vale pressure. David Walsh's fine save from Steve McPhee gave short-lived hope of hanging on for a 1-0 win before McPhee converted from close range when the ball fortunately broke to him.

Wrexham then picked up their own performance again and Vale couldn't get the ball out of their own half for a while. But it wasn't until the last five minutes that the visitors regained their advantage - Lee Trundle got tripped after spinning his marker and without Martyn Chalk or Hector Sam on the pitch he was happy to step up and take the penalty himself. It wasn't a great penalty and Goodlad was unlucky not to keep it out with his left hand, but in it went and the 400 travelling supporters went wild.

Three minutes later the result was put beyond doubt when Trundle flicked a header beyond Goodlad from substitute Paul Barrett's cross.

MATCHFACTS

Wrexham: Walsh 7; Whitley 7, Bennett 8, Lawrence 8, Sharp 7; Edwards 8 (Barrett 7), Ferguson 7, Phillips 7, Thomas 7 (Morrell 7); Trundle 7, Faulconbridge 7.

Mail's man of the match: Dennis Lawrence