DENIS SMITH had mixed emotions after Wrexham were drawn away at Derby County in the FA Cup third round.

Wrexham will take on the Championship highfliers at Pride Park next month after a well deserved 2-0 victory at Scunthorpe on Saturday, with Mark Jones and on-loan Kevin Smith getting the goals.

And although Smith would have preferred a home tie, the Reds boss knows his side have performed well against higher division opponents this season.

“Everyone wants Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. It could have been worse, it could have been better,” Smith said about the Derby tie.

“Our record in the cup against Championship clubs this season is good. We drew with Birmingham in 90 minutes and beat Sheffield Wednesday so we will think we are in with a chance.

“Derby were flying until they lost on Saturday against West Brom. They had won six out of six and it won’t be easy. But Derby are a big club, it should be a decent crowd as they get about 20,000, and it is good for our fans to travel to.”

And centre-back Steve Evans said Wrexham will head to Billy Davies’ Derby in buoyant mood following their victory against Scunthorpe: “It should generate some money for the club.”

“We will go there full of confidence thinking we can win. Everyone played well on Saturday, from the front two to goalkeeper Mike Ingham, and the concentration levels were good throughout. We worked hard as a team and scored two good goals. And a clean sheet was good from my point of view.”

Smith was delighted with Wrexham’s performance but believes there is more to come from his side: “I think we can play better,” he said. “But I am pleased with the way we played, we have beaten a very good side. I was impressed with Scunthorpe so to come out 2-0 winners is an excellent performance all-round.

“From one to 11 it was a good performance. The work-rate was excellent. I am delighted with what the lads have done and know there is more to come.

“We are coming back on form and I have got that competition on the bench which is always useful.

“Kevin Smith is playing well and has settled in now and is starting to look a decent player. I am keeping him for another month because Juan Ugarte, Lee McEvilly and Neil Roberts are not ready – they can’t be playing 90 minutes yet, especially at that pace.

“We are a hard team to break down and we defend very well.

“Scunthorpe have got two of the best strikers outside the Championship and my two centre-backs have kept them quiet. Steve and Shaun look a good partnership.”

Wrexham were beaten 2-0 at the same stage of the competition – the same day the club went into administration – two years ago and Smith was delighted with the turn around in fortunes both on and off the pitch.

“Everything about the club looks different. The last time I was at Scunthorpe I was talking about a 2-0 defeat and we had gone into administration,” added Smith.

“Now I am talking about a 2-0 win and everything at the club is looking up. We have got to take it forward. Off the field it is going well, now we have got to start getting it right on the field.

“And it will come right, no ifs or buts about that. The season’s only just starting. The cup is great and I really enjoy it, but my major importance is getting out of this league as soon as possible.”