IT SAYS much about the romance and magic of the FA Cup that a born-again Wrexham exacted revenge on high-flying Scunthorpe United for their second round exit from the competition two years ago almost to the day that the Racecourse club went into administration.

And what is more, Denis Smiths side did it with an identical 2-0 scoreline, thanks to second-half goals from Mark Jones and Kevin Smith, the Sunderland loan signing who earlier in the week had sensed he was close to grabbing his first-ever senior goal.

In a Daily Post interview, Smith said: Ive felt stronger and fitter with every appearance for Wrexham. I feel Im getting closer and Im hoping that Saturday could be my day.

At Glanford Park his dream was realised as Wrexham not only stood up to the challenge posed by the Championship contenders, but also confirmed their managers faith by securing a first away win since beating Chester City way back in August.

The League Two side secured their place in the third round for the first time since 1999 because of a solid back four, who managed better than supposedly superior sides to nullify the threat of highly-rated strikers Billy Sharp and Andy Keogh.

They had their task made easier by the hard-working midfield and front men who denied their opponents an opportunity to settle on the ball.

Wrexham goalkeeper Mike Ingham has probably had busier days during training sessions at Colliers Park, but his handling was as excellent as his communication with his team-mates.

Shaun Pejic, never convincingly elegant with the ball at his feet, nevertheless gave a master-class in the art of protecting his keeper as well as finding time to cover for the odd error by his colleagues.

Steve Evans won most if not all of his defensive headers as well as contributing to both his sides goals and full-backs Lee Roche and Mike Williams were solid in the face of overwhelming possession by the home side.

Ahead of them Josh Johnson was given few opportunities until the later stages of the game to show his attacking potential, but his defensive work was excellent alongside the experienced duo of Danny Williams and Darren Ferguson, who between them controlled the tempo of the game.

And with Mark Jones ever the unpredictable ace in the pack  his 48th-minute opening goal a stunning example of his exceptional ability  and the non-stop effort from both Smith and Llewellyn, there were few spectators who could argue with the result.

I think we can play better but I was pleased with the performance because I think we have beaten a very good side, boss Smith said. To come out with a 2-0 win was an excellent performance.

Im delighted with the lads and what theyve done. I know there is more to come. Hopefully theyll keep producing.

The last time I was here at Scunthorpe I was talking about a 2-0 defeat and we had gone into administration. Now we are talking about a 2-0 win and everything is on the up.

We have got to take the club forward. Off the field we are getting it right so now we have to start getting it right on the field. And it will come right, no ifs or buts.

Scunthorpe, who had previously lost only once at home this season, demonstrated why they are currently second in League One with their neat football in the opening stages, but they were given short shrift in front of the Wrexham penalty area. It was not until the 17th minute that they won their first corner, when Keoghs shot was deflected behind by Evans.

Central defender Richard Hinds netted from the Ian Morris delivery, but his effort was rightly disallowed as he was climbing all over the Dragons most recent Wales international.

The phoney war developed into something more positive in the final five minutes of the opening period when Taylor twice got past Mike Williams on the right, his first low cross being cut out by Pejic. The second centre, though, posed more of a threat, Keogh heading down to Sharp, who rashly sliced his shot wide of the goal.

The Iron were not able to sustain their momentum after the break and within three minutes of the resumption, Wrexham were ahead. Hinds brought down Johnson and Evans met Fergusons free-kick to bring a comfortable save from Joe Murphy. But in his haste to put Scunthorpe on the front foot, the keeper miscued his throw and it was intercepted by Jones, who needed no second bidding to unleash a ferocious effort from 25 yards that bulged into the net.

The response was inevitable, the home side throwing caution to the winds, but Keogh sliced a decent chance wide and Ingham was equal to an opportunistic effort from Sharp before the Dragons hit back with devastating effect in the 64th minute.

Ferguson launched his sides first and only corner of the afternoon to the far post where Evans headed down for Smith to swivel and fire goal wards. His shot struck a defender on the line, but Wrexhams appeals for a handball offence were rendered unnecessary by the linesman, who ruled that the ball had crossed the line.

It was game over, although Jones might have added a third when he darted between two defenders to test the home keeper once again.

Keogh did put the ball into the back of the net in the 81st minute, but was clearly offside when Taylor delivered the cross, and Sharp headed over the Wrexham bar two minutes from the end, by which time many of the home fans had departed.

Nigel Adkins, who tasted defeat for the first time since taking temporary charge of Scunthorpe five games ago, said: We have a very disappointed dressing room.

We felt this was a game we could win. We could not find the quality in the final third that we have shown all season.

But take nothing away from Wrexham, they worked very hard for their victory.