DEAN KEATES can see how proud his players are with clean sheets and the Reds’ boss was delighted to see things come together at the other end of the pitch.

Wrexham found some form going into Tuesday's game against high-flying Sutton United as a goalless draw with Barnet was followed by successive 1-0 wins over Hartlepool and Aldershot.

It got even better as Wrexham thrashed second placed Sutton 4-0 to climb up to sixth in the National League.

The four clean sheets have come on the back of the Reds conceding eight goals in two matches in defeats at Wealdstone and Solihull, and Keates says cutting out the mistakes was key to the shut-outs.

"You attack as a group and you defend as a group," said Keates.

"The two games where we conceded eight goals, there were a lot of mistakes. We are not making mistakes.

"National League football is about make a mistake and you punish that mistake, and we did that against Sutton.

"In those games we got punished, we made a few individual errors; collectively as a group it wasn't really bad.

"One or two mistakes were made against Sutton but a red top arrived on it.

"We take pride in clean sheets, it is something to be proud of, something to build on, and we know we will create opportunities."

Wrexham took those chances against Sutton, Kwame Thomas scoring a brace to go with goals from fellow striker Adi Yussuf and captain Jay Harris.

"There are bits where we feel we need to be better. We could have been better in possession of the ball but without being over critical we got a great result. We got four goals and we deserved it," said Keates.

"We were relentless in both boxes and got our rewards in the end.

"Defensively we are well drilled and we knew if we could keep a clean sheet, we would get opportunities and I thought all the forward lads were outstanding."

Thomas, who was a big threat in attack, took his tally for the season to three goals and Keates says it was just reward for his all-round performance.

"Unfortunately centre-forwards get judged by their goal return," said Keates.

"There are selfless acts that they do and Kwame is one of them.

"I am absolutely over the moon for the lad. The effort he puts in, what he does for us as a team attacking-wise and defensively, he gives us a platform to play off and he got his rewards.

"He was unfortunate not to get a hat-trick."

Keates, looking to extend the unbeaten run to five games at Bromley on Saturday, admits Wrexham are still gelling together after he revamped the squad over the summer.

"Everybody is working, everybody is pushing and there is competition for places," added Keates.

"They are knitting as a group and we are still building.

"There are players that have crossed paths at previous clubs but different formations etc.

"The cohesion is getting better, we are building that momentum now and got a bit more belief in it.

"I may be too much of a perfectionist. We want to be able to get it down, break through lines and pass the ball but we are doing the other side.

"That's what this level is about first and foremost, we had to match and stand-up to what Sutton put you under."