Ben Whiteman scored against his former club as Wrexham claimed a much-needed Championship victory over bottom side Preston North End.

Joe Worrall headed Wrexham in front with his first goal for the club, but Alfie Devine equalised five minutes later.

Former Preston captain Whiteman, who left Deepdale controversially in the summer, restored Wrexham's lead with his first goal since joining the club.

Second-half goals from Sam Smith and Kieffer Moore sealed an ultimately comfortable win for Wrexham and leave North End manager Graham Alexander still seeking a first point this campaign.

Preston remain at the foot of the table while Wrexham are up to 14th – three points off the play-off places.

Ahead of the game Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson had described speculation over his future as "part and parcel of being a manager" amid reports of growing pressure after the midweek loss at home to West Brom.

The 58-year-old received a rapturous reception from the home supporters as he made his way to the technical area before kick-off.

Despite sitting bottom of the Championship, Preston started brightly and Odel Offiah's effort was cleared off the goal-line by Joe Worrall before Andrew Hughes put a header wide.

Wrexham threatened when Matty James, returning after injury, played an incisive pass into Kieffer Moore. His lay-off found Callum O'Hare inside the six-yard box, but Daniel Iversen saved his effort.

The Preston goalkeeper then dived low to keep out Sam Smith's attempt, but he was beaten moments later when Worrall rose to meet Danny Imray's cross and head Wrexham in front with his first goal for the club.

Preston responded with Johnny Kenny firing wide before the visitors drew level after Wrexham failed to clear their lines. The loose ball fell to Alfie Devine, who made no mistake from close range.

Ben Whiteman had been subjected to boos from Preston supporters following his contentious summer move to the Racecourse, but the former North End captain had the final say as he restored Wrexham's lead.

The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before calmly firing into the bottom corner to put the hosts back in front and ease the tension around the Racecourse.

Substitute Brad Potts fired wide early in the second half, but Wrexham soon took control.

Whiteman turned provider as his corner was met by striker partner Smith, who headed home his first goal of the season to extend the hosts' lead.

Wrexham struck again four minutes later when Moore converted Callum Doyle's cross with a side-footed finish to put the result beyond doubt.

The goal prompted a collective sigh of relief around the Racecourse as Parkinson's side moved closer to a much-needed victory.

"There's only one Phil Parky" sang the Wrexham fans at the final whistle after their side's victory over Preston North End.

It was a marked contrast to the boos that greeted the end of Tuesday's home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, when Wrexham let a 1-0 lead slip to lose 2-1.

That result prompted questions over whether Parkinson was the right man to continue in a role he has held since the summer of 2021.

The experienced manager, who has taken charge of well over 1,000 games, is well aware of the pressure and scrutiny come with the job – particularly at a club with Wrexham's profile and Hollywood owners.

But anything less than victory against Championship bottom side Preston would have intensified the spotlight on the 58-year-old.

There was a palpable tension around the Racecourse, with Joe Worrall's opener bringing a sense of relief to the home crowd.

Preston's equaliser briefly reignited the nerves, but Ben Whiteman restored Wrexham's lead to quieten the visiting supporters and ease the anxiety among the home faithful.

Wrexham's second-half goals wrapped up the victory and helped ease the pressure on Parkinson after a testing week.

The Championship is an unforgiving division but Parkinson is confident that Wrexham can kick-start their season after a stuttering start.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said:

"I thought the lads stood up and were counted today – individually and collectively – with a lot of really solid performances from the lads.

"We showed character, we showed mentality and it's an important win for us.

"Everything we needed to improve on we did and it's always tough to play a team that have been wounded themselves - they've got some good player and a very good manager.

"It could have been a tough game but we made it comfortable with the manner of our performance."

Preston North End manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I think the result is the result. We have to take that on board and see. We obviously have to improve, in both boxes, because I think we had more than enough opportunities for us to score more than the one we had.

"I thought we were really in the game at half-time. We conceded, we equalised. I think we were really competitive before we pressed the ball. We turned the ball over in really good areas. We came here and really competed at a high level.

"We can't defend the result. The players have worked exceptionally hard, but we just haven't been good enough in both boxes."