Wrexham have gone top of the Vanarama National League as goals from Ollie Palmer, Aaron Hayden and Paul Mullin led them to a 3-1 victory over Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park.

Mullin was the provider for the Dragons' first goal as his cross led to Palmer's scuffed shot.

Luke Young set up Hayden for the visitors' second as the Wrexham forward headed home.

Jack Rowe brought the Iron within 2-1 before Mullin wrapped up all three points from close range after being played in by Callum McFadzean.

Victory puts the Dragons a point clear of Notts County while defeat leaves Scunthorpe in the relegation places on goal difference.

Story of the match

Scunthorpe manager Tony Daws made one change as George Taft came in for Regan Ogle.

Phil Parkinson made two changes from the Wrexham side that defeated Oldham in the FA Cup as Palmer and Bryce Hosannah came in for Sam Dalby and the injured Anthony Forde.

Both sides had early opportunities through the long ball before the Dragons had the first big chance of the night on 11 minutes.

Ben Tozer played a short throw-in to Elliot Lee and crossed from the return ball only for Mullin to head over from six yards.

The hosts then turned up the pressure around the 20-minute mark as Young saw his pass through the middle to Palmer blocked then ran onto the loose ball himself only to see Marcus Dewhurst tip the ball over.

From the ensuing corner, Jordan Tunnicliffe headed the ball down with Dewhurst scooping the ball over the bar.

A minute later, Wrexham opened the score. Mullin charged down the ball and crossed for Palmer, whose scuffed shot wrong-footed Dewhurst and rolled in.

On 24 minutes, the hosts came close to doubling their advantage. Tozer's throw-in found Tunnicliffe, whose glancing header was cleared off the line at the back post by Mason O'Malley.

James Jones and Mullin then exchanged passes before the midfielder sent a tame shot on goal that failed to trouble Dewhurst.

McFadzean was bundled over and Lee had a go, only to see his curling right-footed strike go just over.

The Dragons did finally double their lead on 32 minutes, Young's deep throw-in was met by Hayden, who nodded in for his ninth goal of the season.

Scunthorpe had their first real chance of the contest soon after the goal. Rob Apter managed to get a shot away that Caolan Lavery redirected, but his flick-on flew over the bar.

Three minutes before halftime, the Iron halved the deficit. Jacob Butterfield played a lovely through ball to Rowe and the defender slotted low past Mark Howard.

Jones had a go from 25 yards out, going through Butterfield's legs, but the shot went wide.

The hosts nearly equalized as Joe Nuttall beat a host of Wrexham defenders and slotted for Alfie Beestin and he curled for the far corner only to see Howard get down to his right and save.

In the second half, the pace slowed and it took critical blocks by Hayden and substitute Liam McAlinden to keep the visitors ahead.

In the 64th minute, Young looped a shot just over from the edge of the 18-yard box and McFadzean thundered a 20-yard strike off the post five minutes later.

With 20 minutes to go, Wrexham reclaimed their two-goal advantage. McFadzean read the ball well and headed forward, continuing his run to receive Lee's through-ball and crossed low for Mullin to tap in at the back post.

It was nearly four as Mullin flicked around a Scunthorpe defender and struck a powerful half-volley that went over. Palmer was free at the back post, but could only watch as it went the wrong side of the post.

Mullin was replaced by Dalby, who watched as Dewhurst parried away his shot from the edge of the area in the first minute of stoppage time.

Apter nearly made it 3-2 as he cut in from the left and his curler was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Howard.

Player of the game: Paul Mullin (Wrexham)