Football League members for 87 unbroken years prior to their relegation into the Conference in 2008, there can be no doubting Wrexham’s status as one of the division’s big boys.

By the same token, though, their status as one of the division’s great underachievers is equally unequivocal.

Now in their eighth season in non-league football, the Dragons have thrice featured in the end-of-season play-offs, losing to Grimsby Town in the 2013 final and being knocked out by Luton Town in the semi-finals in 2012 and 2011.

Seventeenth place last season was far from good enough for the Dragons and former striker-turned-boss Andy Morrell was sacked in February to be replaced by Nuneaton Town’s Kevin Wilkin.

Morrell’s two-and-a-half-year stint as player-manager had seen the Welsh outfit come close to a return to the Football League but the hope is Wilkin – who has three promotions under his belt from his spell with the Boro – will push Wrexham over the line at long last.

A former striker with the Midlands outfit, Wilkin took up the position of manager in 2006, retiring from playing two years later.

Appointed as manager of the newly-formed Nuneaton Town following the liquidation of Borough, Wilkin immediately won promotion from the Southern League Division One Midlands via the play-offs.

Back-to-back promotions were secured 12 months later with a second play-off final success, this time overcoming Chippenham Town to reach the Conference North.

In 2012, a return to the top of the non-league pyramid was completed, nine years after Nuneaton’s last appearance in the Conference. A third play-off final success – this time beating Gainsborough Trinity – sealed Borough’s place in the Conference, where they have remained since.

The 2014/15 campaign has begun in encouraging fashion for the Dragons, who sit in seventh place; two points and as many places outside of the play-offs.

A 2-1 win over Welling United on Saturday was somewhat fortunate, with late goals from Joe Clarke and Louis Moult securing the points and a second win of the season at the Racecourse Ground.

Speaking to BBC Wales afterwards, manager Wilkin said his side would need to get used to sides setting up to frustrate them.

"It was a long afternoon and a frustrating afternoon but the most important thing is we've come away with the three points,” admitted Wilkin.

"While I'm delighted with the three points clearly I'm not happy with a performance like that.

"Teams will come here and frustrate us and we need to understand that's what they're likely to do."

It is on their travels where Wrexham have impressed the most, winning three and losing just once, with their most recent win coming at much-fancied Forest Green Rovers.

A 1-0 defeat to steadily-improving Bristol Rovers was a touch unfortunate but at this stage there are signs of encouragement for the Reds.

Top-scorer Moult, who along with winger Wesley York followed Wilkin from Nuneaton, could miss out with a slight hamstring strain but the Dragons could call on the experienced Andy Bishop if the 22-year-old misses out.

Bishop, 31, made his name in the Football League with Bury, netting 69 times in 198 league starts before leaving for Wales, initially on loan, ahead of last season.

In midfield, Johnny Hunt has returned to the club after a matter of months away, the 24-year-old joining newly-promoted Cambridge United in June before re-joininig on loan earlier this month having failed to make an appearance for the U’s.

At the back, centre-half Blair Hudson moved in the opposite direction and is partnered by former Walsall and Notts County defender, Manny Smith, who boasts more than 100 Football League starts.

Between the sticks, Austrian giant Daniel Bachmann has deputised for Andy Coughlin, having signed on loan from Premier League side Stoke City.

Likely line-up: Bachmann; White, Smith, Hudson, Ashton; Clarke, Hunt, Durrell, York; Moult, Jennings.