OLLIE PALMER and debutant Eoghan O'Connoll scored in the second half as Wrexham beat Altrincham 2-1 at Moss Lane to maintain their National League title challenge.

Palmer put Phil Parkinson's men ahead after a goalless opening period and although Alty levelled, centre-back O'Connoll scored the winner to keep the second placed Reds on the tails of Notts County.

The Magpies defeated Torquay 2-1 earlier in the day and stay three points ahead of Wrexham who have two games in hand.

Parkinson made three changes from the side that started the 3-3 draw with Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round tie at The Racecourse on Sunday.

New signing O'Connoll, brought in from Charlton United for an undisclosed fee earlier in the week, was handed his debut in defence and there were also a place in the team for Max Cleworth and Reece Hall-Johnson.

O'Connell and Cleworth replaced injured centre-halves Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe who picked up injuries against the Blades and are facing about six weeks on the sidelines, with Hall-Johnson taking over from Anthony Force in the right wing-back berth.

There was an early chance when Palmer tried to force the ball home after Ben Tozer's throw-in was flicked on while Luke Young saw a drive well held by goalkeeper Ollie Byrne.

Altrincham responded with Jordan Hulme's header finding the roof of the net from Miles Welch-Hayes' cross, and the home side had an even better opportunity in the 17th minute.

Hulme got in between two defenders after racing onto a flick-on and his lob over Mark Howard struck the crossbar.

Wrexham were off the pace and losing possession too easily with Altrincham having the upper hand.

Tom O'Connor fired wide for Wrexham who had another sight of goal when Hall-Johnson's low cross wasn't gathered by Byrne who managed to prevent Palmer from converting the loose ball, and O'Connor shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Altrincham had been the better side and Isaac Marriott's effort was comfortably saved by Howard while Parkinson was forced into a change when Hall-Johnson limped off injured and was replaced by Liam McAlinden after 38 minutes.

Howard made an unorthodox save to deny Hulme after the ball bounced awkwardly and Danny Cashman fired wide but it remained goalless at the break.

Altrincham had a good chance at the start of the second half but Tyrese Sinclair fired narrowly wide from a good position after being picked out by Cashman.

But Wrexham started to impose themselves on the game.

Palmer set-up Paul Mullin whose curling effort went wide and Young's fierce drive deflected over the bar.

It had been all Wrexham since the interval and the Reds took the lead after 61 minutes.

Tozer played a short throw-in to Elliot Lee whose cross was flicked on to Palmer and the striker took a touch before firing past Byrne.

Wrexham continued to go at Altrincham and Lee played a one-two with Mullin before firing over the bar.

However, Altrincham scored an 80th minute equaliser.

Welch-Hayes was given space and the right-back's found the net with a low drive from just outside the area.

But Wrexham were back in the lead five minutes from time.

Young delivered a corner, substitute Sam Dalby's header hit the bar and his follow-up was blocked, but O'Connell found the back of the net to secure three points.

Altrincham (4-3-3): Byrne; Welch-Hayes, James Jones, Baines, Eddy Jones; Marriott, Lundstam, Osborne (Gyasi 75); Cashman, Hulme (Linney 68), Sinclair (Kaja 68). Subs not used: Pringle, Oyedele.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Hall-Johnson (McAlinden 38, Dalby 83), O'Connell, Tozer, Cleworth, McFadzean (Mendy 75); Young, O'Connor, Lee; Mullin, Palmer. Subs not used: Lainton, Jones.

Attendance: 4,865 (1,650 from Wrexham).