WREXHAM took a firm grip on a Division Three automatic promotion berth after a 2-1 win over struggling Shrewsbury Town last nightThe win moved Denis Smith's side into third place and three points clear of sixth-placed York City, with both teams having now played the same number of games.

Agonisingly for City, Wrexham's winner came in stoppage time when substitute Lee Jones fired home.

Andy Morrell had earlier netted his 29th league goal of the season to give Wrexham the lead with Shrewsbury's Jamie Tolley equalising on the hour.

There was brighter news for York City's reserves, who won their penultimate Avon Insurance League division one east clash 3-2 at Scarborough yesterday.

Two goals from Bryan Stewart fired the Minstermen into a commanding lead before Boro struck back with two goals.

City sneaked the win when 16-year-old Nathan Kamara's free-kick was turned into his own goal by a Scarborough defender.

Yesterday's game was marred by a leg-break suffered by teenager Ashley Lythe, who has been released by Leicester City and was having a run out with Boro, his former club.

Lythe moved to Leicester for £100,000 two years ago and has been training with Carlisle and more recently with Hartlepool.

The match also marked a fleeting substitute appearance by Scarborough manager Russ Slade, now in his forties.

Updated: 11:49 Thursday, April 10, 2003