MAX CLEWORTH says the character in the Wrexham squad is second to none and the players always believe they can win matches even when they are not at their best.

The Reds, whose unbeaten start to the League One campaign came to an end following a 3-1 defeat at Birmingham City last Monday, bounced back immediately by beating Crawley Town 2-1 at The Racecourse to stay top of the table.

Elliot Lee gave Wrexham the lead midway through the opening period and although Crawley, who created lots of chances, equalised early in the second half, Cleworth headed home George Dobson's cross in the 79th minute to secure victory.

The Reds were far from their best but Cleworth says the players never lose belief they can win games even when they are not firing on all cylinders.

"I am really happy," said Cleworth. "It wasn't our best day in terms of performance, Crawley came and made it difficult.

"But to win in the end is all that really matters.

"We have always had that belief that even if we are at not at our best, we can still get something from the game and we proved that again.

"After losing on Monday the reaction was all that really mattered.

"We are more than happy to have bounced back and got three points."

Cleworth had the assist for Lee before scoring the winner, bagging his third goal of the season.

Substitute Steven Fletcher got a touch but Cleworth felt the ball had already crossed the line when the striker pounced and he will still be credited with the goal.

"I have been given a bit more of a free role," said the 22-year-old.

"We took a short corner at the end, I saw Dobbo put it to the back stick and I knew I had a chance as soon as he put it in.

"I am buzzing - I just need Fletch to say it's not his goal and we can leave it as mine!

"I am having it. I have seen it back and it looks close."

Thunder and lightening filled the sky at The Racecourse in the closing stages when the referee blew the final whistle.

Cleworth was just focussed on seeing the game out when heavy rain came down.

"I am just glad we kicked off at 3pm and not 5.30pm otherwise it would have been delayed!" added Cleworth.

"But you don't really think too much about what is going on.

"It was just making sure we got over the line.

"I think there was only three minutes left when the rain really started to come down but we knew we could see it out from there."