PHIL PARKINSON is looking for greater consistency from Wrexham over 90 minutes.

Parkinson was unhappy with his side's first-half performance in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Stockport County at Edgeley Park as the five-game unbeaten run in League One came to an end.

Louie Barry put the Hatters ahead in the 24th minute with a stunning strike and although goalkeeper Callum Burton kept Wrexham in the contest with some fantastic saves either side of the break, the Reds ended the second half strongly as they went in search of an equaliser.

But it never came and Parkinson says the Reds need to be on top of their game for longer periods, starting with Saturday's clash against Exeter City at The Racecourse.

"We need to strive for that consistency throughout a game which we didn't have on Saturday," he said.

"Against Mansfield, we had a lot of quality in the game and in patches we played well but the aim is to analyse what we can do better and put that into practice throughout the whole game at the weekend.

"We need to perform better with the ball and without the ball.

"Both departments in that first 45 minutes against Stockport weren't where they needed to be.

"Second half we got going and could have got back in the game but sometimes when you are on the pitch and you can't quite get close to people, you need to look at the reasons for that.


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"So far this season we have been a very well structured team first of all out of possession and made it difficult for teams to play against us but at times in that first half, we have got to admit it was too easy for Stockport to get control in that midfield area.

"In that derby atmosphere, it is having that composure to play and when we did that in the second half, we more than matched Stockport and we above them in the league.

"Looking at this weekend, it is about getting back to a strong performance with and without the ball, and improve from last Saturday."

Wrexham struggled to create chances despite an improvement in the second period at Stockport.

The Reds were below against their rivals but Parkinson his side, still third in the table despite the defeat, to execute their game-plan as they attempt to bounce back with a win at home to ninth placed Exeter.

"The structure of the team has been really good and the group understanding of what is required from game to game," he added.

"That is key for us. We do a lot of work analysing the opposition, like they do on us.

"If you go over the wins we have had, the detail into the preparation and the way the lads have put that into practice has been really good.

"We need to look at Exeter carefully. Look at their strengths - they are obviously a tough nut to crack - but find ways where we can create the opportunities like we did against Mansfield.

"And when we create them, can we have that ruthless edge and take them."