DANNY WILLIAMS says he won't make the same mistake twice as he takes his final steps along the road to recovery following a troublesome back injury.

The Wrexham midfielder returned to action for the reserves on Tuesday, playing for 60 minutes in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.

It was the second comeback Williams has made this season, with the first ending in a swift return to physio Mel Pejic's treatment room as the injury flared up again after only four first-team games.

By his own admission, Williams pushed himself too hard last time - which is why he intends to adopt a more patient approach in his latest bid for full fitness.

"I played four games in a short space of time in January, but the pain came back," said the 25-year-old, who was a virtual ever-present in Wrexham's engine-room until his back problems started last November.

"With me wanting to come back playing, I just didn't take it easy to be honest. I wanted to be fit to try to help the team out and I don't like watching from the sidelines.

"But when I did the injury the second time, I knew I needed the rest.

I've got to take my time when I'm back now. When I first came back I was trying to play every game, but towards the end of the third and fourth game I was feeling it. It wasn't for want of trying but I couldn't give my best."

Williams said he had no idea how long he would be out for when he suffered the painful injury in an LDV Vans Trophy tie against Stockport.

"It felt a bit strange to be honest," he added. "A disc had come out of where it's supposed to be in my back and it was touching on my nerve, so I was getting a sensitive pain going down my leg. It was just my luck. Everything had been going well but you've got to get on with it."

Williams, who returned to the Racecourse for a second spell last summer after playing for Kidderminster, Chester and Bristol Rovers, is now setting his sights on a place in manager Denis Smith's squad for this Saturday ' s League One clash against Bourne-mouth at home. With a packed fixture programme in April, the midfielder knows he won't be able to feature in every match - but he is determined to play his part as Wrexham fight to stave off relegation.

And he says the fuss surrounding the Dragons' LDV Vans Trophy final appearance in Cardiff will not dis-tract the players from their main aim - guaranteeing League One survival.

"The main thing is trying to stay up," he said. "I know the final is a great thing and great for the fans, but staying in the league is the main priority. We've got to look to win the league games - we can't afford to lose any of them really."

* SOUTHEND supporters are appealing for fans of all clubs to join them at the LDV Vans Trophy final in Cardiff in a show of solidarity with Wrexham.

The two sides meet at the Millennium Stadium on April 10 with the financially-troubled Dragons' league status under threat from liquidation.

Trevor Bashford of Southend United Supporters Trust said: "I, on behalf of the fans of Southend, would love to share the day with true football fans from across the United Kingdom, Europe and worldwide if possible.

"The plight of Wrexham needs maximum publicity."