Rangers moved into second spot in Division 2 with an assured display against a resolute Wrexham side. Coming off the back of a spanking at Peterborough at the weekend they clearly came to keep things tight, but the R's superior attacking ability saw them through in the end.

Holloway didn't have much of a selection headache following the weekend tonking of Hartlepool. The same starting eleven and subs were selected for this massive game. Camp lined up in goal behind Forbes, Gnohere, Carlisle and Rose. Rowlands, Johnson, Bircham and McLeod were across midfield, with Gallen and Furlong up front.

The first half was a mish-mash of half chances and missed opportunities for Rangers. Wrexham didn't really seem that keen on coming at them and mostly aimed the long ball at former Palace and Spurs striker Chris Armstrong and he certainly gave Carlisle and Gnohere plenty to think about. Fortunately he got little change out of the big men and they looked as solid as they have done in this young partnership.

Richard Johnson went close to opening his account for the R's with a blistering volley that was bravely blocked by a Wrexham head. Johnson tried his luck again minutes later, this time from fully thirty yards, only to see his shot end up nearer the corner flag that the target. The early play had mostly been one way before Armstrong rolled back the years with a piece of vintage play.

A Chris Llewellyn cross found Armstrong at the far post and he twisted his body in mid air and managed to send a spectacular bicycle kick just wide of Camp's goal. It is doubtful whether the impressive youngster would have got it had it been on target. Following this the game descended into the sort of game you probably wouldn't watch if it were on the telly. Nothing was happening and the only effort of note came from Jim Whitley, who forced a low save out of Camp.

Holloway was forced into a reshuffle after 37 minutes when Matthew Rose limped out of the action. In truth Rose had seemed a shadow of the player that had done so well at Victoria Park on Saturday and had rarely looked assured. I am not sure how he got the knock, but with him leaving the action and Thorpe taking his place the formation was changed. Gallen dropped into the hole behind the strikers as Olly switched to a 3-4-1-2 system. This meant that Rowlands and McLeod were now being deployed as wing backs and that Forbes and Gnohere, on either side of the three would have to work doubly hard and this they did.

Chances remained at a premium with the giant presence of Dennis Lawrence seemingly looming over every Rangers attack. The second half started much brighter though and it was clear that the players had been sent out with a flea in their ear. Gallen won a freekick just outside the box and Rowlands' initial effort was blocked. Richard Johnson seized on the rebound but could only steer a low shot wide.

Paul Furlong came within a hairs breadth of opening the scoring when he burst clear of the Wrexham defence and flashed a low shot across goal. Ingham was well beaten but the ball just evaded the far post. At the other end Carlisle had to be alert to deny Wrexham when they did manage to find a way through the R's defence. Once again Llewellyn found space to fling over a cross that Carlisle powered over his own bar.

Carlisle's next involvement was a far more significant one as he hit the opener. Rangers forced a right wing corner and for the umpteenth time Gallen and Rowlands went through the short corner routine. It had come to nothing already on three occasions but this time the delivery was spot on. Carlisle had managed to evade his markers and was on hand to nod home from no more than seven yards for his first of the season. Keeper Ingham had no hope as Clarke's textbook downward header bounced high into the net.

Wrexham tried in vein to summon a response but to no avail. Gnohere was marshalling the defence superbly and was keeping Armstrong in his pocket. The only times Wrexham were given a chance was when referee Tomlin, or should that be referee Ferguson, awarded a freekick in a dangerous area. Tomlin had been a late replacement for Clive Penton, although Ferguson seemed to be an even later replacement than him!

Terrell Forbes showed his class once again when he swooped round behind Carlisle and Gnohere to deny Armstrong after he had finally managed to evade Arthur's attentions. It was a perfectly timed tackle, similar to his one against Hartlepool, and it only served to underline his importance to the team. People will always moan and groan when he gives the ball away but it is moments like this that will hopefully make the more short sighted amongst us realise what a class act he is.

The game was a constant flow of Rangers attacks by now although not many chances were being created. Gallen whipped a great ball along the six yard box that was expertly cleared by Carey before McLeod hacked two wild crosses into The Loft, the second one after a horrendous bobble that left him with egg on his face.

The egg was soon replaced by a broad smile though as he grabbed Rangers' second, his fourth of the season. Furlong played a ball wide and it seemed as though the Wrexham defence would see the danger off but a slip allowed McLeod time to take a touch. In truth it was a poor one and it carried him a couple of yards wider than he wanted to be, but no worries, he simply cracked a fierce left footer past Ingham into the bottom corner. It was a great finish from a player who has seemed a little out of sorts of late. This may be the timely boost his confidence needed.

The final couple of minutes were played out without further drama and at the final whistle players and fans alike celebrated moving above Bristol City into the second spot. The challenge now will be to make that spot our own and have a bash at hunting Plymouth down, although to be honest, winning the title would be an added bonus to the real prize of promotion.

The game at Wycombe on Saturday has all the hallmarks of a real Rangers banana skin. We should go there and take the game by the scruff of the neck but it never seems to work out like that when we visit The Causeway Stadium. Hopefully the confidence gained from the wins this week will see us in fine fettle come 3 on Saturday.

simon@qprnet.com