Wrexham 3-1 Gateshead

Wrexham moved to the top of the National League with a 3-1 win over Gateshead at the Racecourse Ground.

The hosts took the lead on 18 minutes when Paul Rutherford slalomed his way into the penalty area and kept his cool to slide the ball under the goalkeeper.

The Dragons doubled their lead when Brad Walker fired home his second goal of the season on 68 minutes.

Luke Armstrong pulled one back for Gateshead, but Rekeil Pyke's third for the hosts ensured no grandstand finish.

Wrexham manager Sam Ricketts told BBC Sport Wales:

"We are delighted with being top of the table, it is a nice reward for the players for the effort they have put in this season.

"But for me, the performance today was the most pleasing thing. It really shows what this team can potentially do.

"The performance level today was excellent... it is a massive step in the right direction.

"We are improving as a side and will continue to try and improve all the time and see where that takes us."

• Line-ups
• Live Text

Line-ups

Wrexham

• 18Lainton
• 2Roberts
• 30Lawlor
• 16WalkerSubstituted forWrightat 86'minutes
• 3Jennings
• 5Pearson
• 7Summerfield
• 8Young
• 14Rutherford
• 10HolroydSubstituted forPykeat 70'minutes
• 23BeavonSubstituted forDeverdicsat 84'minutes

Substitutes

• 1Dibble
• 9Fondop-Talom
• 11Pyke
• 17Deverdics
• 20Wright

Gateshead

• 23PearsBooked at 35mins
• 3Barrow
• 6Williamson
• 8Olley
• 2Tinkler
• 5Kerr
• 4HunterSubstituted forMellishat 46'minutes
• 15White
• 19Boden
• 9Armstrong
• 10RiggSubstituted forMolyneuxat 58'minutes

Substitutes

• 1Foden
• 7Thomson
• 12Mellish
• 14O'Donnell
• 21Molyneux

Referee:

Gary Parsons

Attendance:

4,421

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Wrexham 3, Gateshead 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+3'

Second Half ends, Wrexham 3, Gateshead 1.

Goal!

Posted at 90'+2'

Goal! Wrexham 3, Gateshead 1. Rekeil Pyke (Wrexham).

Goal!

Posted at 88'

Goal! Wrexham 2, Gateshead 1. Luke Armstrong (Gateshead).

Substitution

Posted at 86'

Substitution, Wrexham. Akil Wright replaces Brad Walker.

Substitution

Posted at 84'

Substitution, Wrexham. Nicky Deverdics replaces Stuart Beavon.

Substitution

Posted at 70'

Substitution, Wrexham. Rekeil Pyke replaces Chris Holroyd.

Goal!

Posted at 68'

Goal! Wrexham 2, Gateshead 0. Brad Walker (Wrexham).

Substitution

Posted at 58'

Substitution, Gateshead. Luke Molyneux replaces Steven Rigg.

Substitution

Posted at 46'

Substitution, Gateshead. Jon Mellish replaces Jack Hunter.

Second Half

Posted at

Second Half begins Wrexham 1, Gateshead 0.

Half Time

Posted at 45'

First Half ends, Wrexham 1, Gateshead 0.

Booking

Posted at 35'

Aynsley Pears (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card.

Goal!

Posted at 18'

Own Goal by Fraser Kerr, Gateshead. Wrexham 1, Gateshead 0.

Kick Off

Posted at

First Half begins.

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.