DENNIS LAWRENCE'S World Cup heroics have put Wrexham on the map, says his club manager Denis Smith.

The Dragons boss was thrilled to see his giant defender score the goal that sent Trinidad & Tobago through to the 2006 World Cup.

Lawrence's man-of-the-match performance against Bahrain ensured the tiny Caribbean nation will next summer make their first appearance in the finals of the tournament.

Smith said: "I'm delighted for Dennis. He is a lovely man and he has been superb for Wrexham.

"The chance to go to a World Cup is every footballer's dream. To get the goal that takes a country like Trinidad to the World Cup has to be very special for Dennis.

"I think he will get the freedom of Trinidad for that. It gives us a profile around the world too. People will be asking where he plays his football and they will see it is Wrexham."

Lawrence scored the only goal of a tense second leg play-off in Bahrain yesterday. The historic moment came just five minutes into the second half after Trinidad, always the more threatening side, forced a corner.

As a pack of players jostled for position in the six yard box, the 6ft 7in defender cleverly stayed out of the way. But as captain Dwight Yorke floated in a cross, Lawrence ghosted forward and rose unchallenged to head the ball past lead-footed keeper Ali Hassan.

That put the Caribbean side - nicknamed the SocaWarriors - into a 2-1 aggregate lead after the first leg in Port of Spain had ended 1-1. Yet Lawrence, and his fellow defenders, still had to remain alert to foil the increasingly desperate Bahrain attack.

Indeed, the Dragons star prevented an almost certain equaliser when he stretched out one of his long legs to block a dangerous cross from Talal Yusuf. Lawrence breathed a sigh of relief as the loose ball rolled just wide of the Warriors' near post.

It was a scrappy game, but Trinidad deserved their win.

In the first-half, Bahrain keeper Hassan made a brave save at Stern John's feet after the on-loan Derby striker had broken clear in the box. Bahrain struggled against the physically stronger Warriors and their clearest opening stemmed from Trinidad keeper Kelvin Jack misjudging a high ball five minutes before the interval.

He was rescued by Rangers defender Marvin Andrews running back to the goal line and clearing the ball to safety.

In the second half, the visitors were inches away from extending their lead when sub Russell Latapy chipped the ball against the Bahrain crossbar, then fired the rebound just wide.

Trinidad played out time as the clock ticked down, causing the Middle East outfit to lose their discipline as they saw their chance of World Cup glory slipping away. Bahrain had Hussein Ali sent off in stoppage time as the game deteriorated into chaos. Referee Oscar Ruiz was surrounded by furious players after the official had disallowed a late Bahrain goal, even though Ahmed Hassan had clearly kicked the ball from Jack's outstretched hands.

Lawrence and his team-mates held their nerve, but still had keeper Jack to thank after he pulled off a superb save in the dying seconds - tipping a long-range shot by Yusuf over the crossbar.

At the final whistle, matchwinner Lawrence was mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.

In the Caribbean, thousands of people left work early to celebrate. On every street corner of the capital Port of Spain fans were waving flags.