With his squad badly hit by injuries and two suspensions, Gary Brabin named midfielder Jon Challinor at right back for today's match against Wrexham and recalled Mark Convery for his first start since pre-season and Danny Brown for his first game since the Play-off final in May.

The reshuffled side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation for the first time and put in an impressive performance against fancied side Wrexham as Mark Beesley scored in each half, and afterwards Brabin praised the whole team.

"I'm confident with the players I've got and I've never doubted the ability of Mark Convery and Danny Brown," he said. "It was great to get those two out today and I thought they were magnificent. Mark Convery has shown me that he's back to full fitness; I questioned it this week and I spoke to him before the game and he's shown he that he is fully fit now.

"Danny Brown hasn't spoken to me yet because he still hasn't caught his breath! We hoped for a good 60 minutes out of him but he's played the full 90 and I think he'll be sore for a few days because that's his first game since Wembley.

"It was Chris Holroyd's first start too, and not only was I pleased that we kept a clean sheet but I'm pleased we're back to winning ways. The way we went about it and the football we played was magnificent in the first half and most of the second half. In the end they threw everything at us and they had four up front and I thought we showed the other side too, that we've got a dogged side to us as well.

"It was really pleasing and there were lots of parts of the game that I was delighted with - the football we played and the individual performances as well. I could just go on," added the delighted manager.

Having pressed Jon Challinor into service as emergency right back in the absence of Dan Gleeson (injured) and Rory McAuley (suspended), Brabin praised the £15,000 summer signing for his composed performance: "He was immense but I never doubted it. Jon has been a fantastic professional since he came to the club and he's a great player.

"He was in my thoughts to play there on Tuesday and we decided to give one of the young lads his debut instead, but this time he was the obvious choice."

He also enthused about Mark Beesley's two goals after the striker's place had been questioned in some quarters for his early season lack of goals: "For me, Mark has been unbelievable this season. People have been looking at him because Lee McEvilly has scored the goals, but Mark's done all the unselfish work and I felt a bit sorry for him.

"In the two games I've said to him 'just go out and play for yourself' he's scored three in those two games, and that tells you the type of character he is. He's a good honest professional and a great player, and I think the link-up play he does for the team goes unnoticed sometimes so I was delighted for him.

"Chris Holroyd coming in has taken a bit of pressure off him today and I think it was Lee Mac's best game for us even though he hasn't scored. That's what I want from him. I keep telling the players that I want them to work hard for the team and even though Lee has scored a few goals I think there's a lot more to come from him.

"Today I thought he was a lot better and that's more like the Lee McEvilly we saw against Kidderminster. He hasn't scored and he'll be gutted about that, but I'm delighted with him and his performance and I'm absolutely made up for Mark Beesley because I think he's deserved it."

Brabin ended by admitting that the lack of a mid-week game this week will come as a welcome relief to his battered and bruised squad.

"It's a good thing," he smiled, "and the likes of Mark Convery and Danny Brown will be delighted to get a few days without a game. We'll still be training but it's nice to get a little bit of a break when you've won, and with the way we won too. I'm delighted with the whole performance."

The win lifted United back into second place on 17 points, behind leaders Mansfield Town only on goals scored. The U's are next in action at home to Torquay United on Saturday at 3pm.

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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