YORK City were unable to wobble the Vanarama National League leaders Wrexham, as a Ryan Whitley own-goal, a header from Sam Dalby and a last-ditch finish from Elliot Lee saw the Red Dragons retain their position at the head of the table.

Michael Morton’s side struggled to threaten Wrexham throughout the match, in which the home side never once looked worried about losing their unbeaten streak at home.

Nevertheless, it took Wrexham 41 minutes to open the scoring, as James Jones’ venomous strike rattled the crossbar before deflecting off of Whitley and over the line. Despite the City players protests, the referee deemed that the ball had crossed the line.

The Minstermen’s only real chance of the contest came in the second half, as Mitch Hancox’s low effort was stopped by Wrexham’s newest signing Ben Foster, who came out of retirement to join the league-leaders on Thursday.

Dalby added the Red Dragons’ second when latching onto a trademark long throw from Wrexham captain Ben Tozer.

Before Lee capitalised on some sloppy York defending to race through on goal, before calmly prodding past Whitley.

Morton elected to make two changes to the York side that defeated Dorking Wanderers 2-1 last Saturday, including a debut to striker Danny Rowe.

It was the front two that was completely altered, with Shaq Forde and Manny Duku being replaced Rowe and captain Lenell John-Lewis, who recovered from an injury to be involved.

Wrexham also lined up in a back five formation, but included a deadline day signing of their own.

Following the injury to Rob Lainton, manager Phil Parkinson bolstered his side with the addition of former Manchester United, Watford and West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Foster, who came out of retirement to join the Red Dragons.

But whilst a lot of the attention was placed onto the experienced Foster, he wouldn’t have much to do.

Wrexham quickly established their dominance into the match through the danger man Mullin, as the forward snuck in behind the City defence, before slicing an effort over the crossbar.

The only issue Foster had to deal with in the first half was a routine stop for the goalkeeper, as Mitch Hancox’s cross-shot from a free-kick was comfortably handled by the shot-stopper.

The hosts nearly opened the scoring through Ollie Palmer earlier on as the ball was cut back to him, but the towering striker’s shot was heroically blocked by Mark Ellis.

Ryan Barnett is a fairly recent signing for Wrexham after joining from Solihull Moors, and he almost nabbed his first goal for his new club as he drove through the midfield unchallenged, before directing his effort onto the post.

Mullin had another opportunity to add to his impressive goal tally, but his header from close-range skimmed wide of the target.

Elliot Lee is another one of Wrexham’s ‘big name’ players after a good stint with Sky Bet Championship side Luton Town, and he came close to beating Whitley after his close-ranged effort was parried by the goalkeeper.

Jacob Mendy had a carbon copy chance that Mullin had wasted earlier on, and he saw the same results, also heading wide of the target at the back post.

York did accumulate an effort of their own eventually, but Rowe couldn’t test Foster as he dragged a volley well wide of the target.

And on the brink of half-time, Wrexham found their breakthrough, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Some sloppy defending allowed Wrexham to toy with possession on the edge of the box, before Jones hammered a ferocious strike towards goal.

His effort rattled the bar, before striking Whitley in the face. Whitley did scramble to stop the ball from crossing over the line but despite the protests of the City players, the referee deemed that the ball had crossed the line.

Palmer would have one more opportunity before the break, but he could only head over the bar from a teasing corner.

Heading into the second half, it was déjà vu for the Minstermen.

Wrexham immediately asserted their foothold on the game, as Mullin found himself in behind the York defence, but could only fire straight at Whitley who parried clear.

York did grow into the game slightly in the second half, but there momentum was disrupted after midfielder Dan Pybus was forced off of the pitch on the hour mark with an injury.

Nevertheless, City prevailed. A fantastic first touch from John-Lewis set Hancox on his way, allowing the midfielder to feed Ryan Fallowfield in behind down the wing, but Foster was equal to his tame effort.

Hancox was once again involved with the Minstermen’s biggest chance of the match.

A loose ball was deflected into path of Hancox on the edge of the box, and his low effort was acrobatically parried clear by Foster to the dismay of Morton on the sidelines.

And despite the match being a lot closer in the second half, Wrexham were able to double their advantage and seal the match.

A trademark Tozer throw landed onto the head of substitute Dalby, who was able to flick the ball on and into the top corner, leaving Whitley stranded and City with it all to do.

Wrexham did nearly immediately throw away their two goal deficit, as a poor clearance from Foster was fired straight at the back of Tozer, but Foster was grateful to see the ball roll off target.

And the home side capped off an enjoyable day for the Wrexham supporters through Lee.

A simple through ball evaded the York defence, allowing Lee to race through on goal before capitalising on some sloppy defending and curling the ball past Whitley.

York were unable to produce a clear chance to inspire a late fightback, and headed back to North Yorkshire empty-handed, and unable to cause inconvenience on the league-leaders.

York City: Whitley 5, Fallowfield 6, Duckworth 6, Ellis 7, Crookes 6, Hurst 7, Pybus 6 (McLaughlin 6, 59), Dyson 6, Hancox 7 (Forde 6, 73), John-Lewis 6, Rowe 6 (Kouhyar 6, 73)

Subs not used: Campbell, Kouogun

Yellow cards: Crookes (32), Dyson (62)

Wrexham: Foster, Barnett, O’Connell, Tozer, Tunnicliffe, Mendy, Jones, Cannon, Lee, Palmer (Dalby, 70), Mullin (Davies, 87)

Subs not used: Howard, McFadzean, Cleworth, Davies, Dalby

Goals: Whitley OG (41), Dalby (81), Lee (90)

York’s star man: Mark Ellis. The commanding defence was constantly thawing Wrexham’s attack, and even got the supporters riled up with a bit of time-wasting in the first half. Was unfortunate to concede two goals.

Attendance: 10,161 (1000)

Shots (on target): 8 (4) | 3 (2)

Corners: 6 | 2

Offsides: 0 | 1

Fouls committed: 8 | 8