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Man of the Match Mark Jones

I felt brilliant when I left the field, like a million dollars but I didn't realise I'd been voted man-of-the-match until I got back in

MARK JONES rates his super strike against Chesterfield as the best goal he's ever scored.

The Wales under 21 international found the top corner with a first time rocket from outside the area to score his third goal for Wrexham, and his first this season, in yesterday's 3-1 win over Chesterfield.

Steve Roberts and Chris Llewellyn were also on target as Wrexham moved to within one point of the League One safety zone.

But Jones was the talk of the town with his man-of-the-match performance, and he couldn't believe his sensational strike.

Jones, who also scored a cracker against Oldham last season, said: "Chris Armstrong laid it off, it fell nicely, I just swung at it and it went in. I scored against Oldham and Stockport last season but that's the best one I've scored. I felt it wasn't real when it went in and I just started running - brilliant!"

Jones was overwhelmed with the applause he received when he left the pitch with eight minutes to go to be replaced by Levi Mackin.

BRILLIANT

And he revealed that it was his defensive work rather than attacking instincts that he was focusing on ahead of the game.

"I felt brilliant when I left the field, like a million dollars," said Jones. "But I didn't realise I'd been voted man-of-the-match until I got back in.

"I was trying to concentrate on the defensive work, closing down the full backs. Usually I've been poor on that and it lets me down. But I did better, I'm happy with my performance and luckily I scored the goal. And I should have scored another near the end."

Asked whether he feels he has done enough to retain his place in the side to face Blackpool on New Year's Day at The
Racecourse, Jones added: "I hope I have. There have been other lads who have come in the side and played well, like Levi Mackin."

But Jones did himself no harm, and his manager Denis Smith was full of praise for the midfielder who has been given more opportunities in the first team this season due to injuries.

Jones wasn't even in the 16-man squad that drew 1-1 at Bradford on Boxing Day and regarding his inclusion in place of Levi Mackin, Smith said: "It was a gamble. But it was a performance which on its own was worth the entrance fee. Levi was unlucky to be left out because he's had a couple of good games.

"I looked at the way we played on Sunday, Levi did okay but we had a lot of possession and we didn't have anybody who could open people up. I needed a Dean Bennett or a Carlos Edwards but we haven't got one of those who can go past people.

"But Mark Jones can go past people with a little bit of skill. I though, okay, stick him in because he's always liable to produce something. I felt as though he was the one to produce a telling pass or telling ball.

"All round, everything he did do was what we know he can do. It's possibly the first time he's produced it at first team level, the touches, the passes, besides the goal. I thought he had a super game. We know he can do it, we've seen him do it in training. People who watch him regularly know what he can do.

"It could be goal of the season, without any shadow of a doubt. The finish was absolutely magnificent."

Smith was also delighted that Wrexham took advantage of set-plays to record the two other goals - something he feels they have struggled with recently.

He added: "We've needed to score more from set plays. Chris Armstrong gives us an option to put more balls into the box. He's won headers on both of them and we've finished them off.

"Steve Roberts was lucky to be up there because he was in Dennis Lawrence's position, but Dennis was carrying a knock at the time so he went up in his place."

Smith was encouraged by the performance of his team and says the key is getting experienced players back and having the opportunity to pick and choose when the younger members of his squad are required.

Smith added: "We looked a bit better. I thought Dibbs was great in goal. He made some important saves at important times. That's experience.

"Chris Armstrong's laid a couple of goals on. He's now getting fit now, and Alex Smith has had a couple of good games. I've said all along if I can the experienced players back we've got a chance of producing the results.

"Mark Jones wasn't in the 16 on Sunday but started today. You have to pick and choose. Simon Spender who's been in the team wasn't even in the 16 today. But I've got those players now, Levi, Spender, Morgan, all youngsters coming through which is how it should be.

"They should get the odd game here and there to help their development, not put pressure on them which is unfair.

"If I've got everybody fit I've got 20 pros, but I've also got these youngsters who have come in to give me that extra which is super."