Wrexham battled to a hard-fought win in the Blue Square Premier at Ebbsfleet, who had two players sent off.
Lamine Sakho grabbed the only goal of the game before the break when his deflected shot from inside the area trickled over the line.
Ebbsfleet's day got worse when defender Leon Crooks was sent off for bringing down Wes Baynes after 67 minutes.
Elliott Charles was also banished for an illegal challenge on Wrexham keeper Chris Maxwell.
The result means the visitors climb up one place to 15th in the Blue Square Premier.
Wrexham boss Dean Saunders: "I'm not 100 % happy, but we won the game and we had a bit of luck today… they had two men sent off, especially when they were trying to get back at us, which didn't knock the stuffing out of them.
"I thought it would, but it didn't. We kept giving fouls away in our half and they were pumping the ball into the middle of our box and looking for second balls.
"It doesn't matter how many men you've got, it was nine v 11, but when the ball goes into the D it only takes two men to score a goal.
Saunders added: "I've seen him [Christian Smith] play better. He's done a good job for us. He's trying, he's brave. I was pleased that Sakho scored.
"He's been waiting a long time to get his chance. He scored a good goal, looked a threat and he puts his head in as well.
"He's not one that just jumps round like a fairy. He puts his head in."
Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish tells BBC Radio Kent:
"We created more chances in that second 45 minutes than we had in the past six or seven games.
"The result hasn't gone with us but I've seen a bit of fight and a bit of grit and if we can make sure that keeps going I'm sure we can pull away from the relegation area.
"We wanted to get a good win but we didn't, but now we have a bit of breathing space so hopefully we can get a few additions and maybe make a few go the other way, we'll just have to wait and see."
Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Heeroo, Crooks, Darius Charles, Easton (Pooley 71), Wills (Shakes 46), Holmes, Henry (Bailey 46), Welsh, Elliot Charles, Vieira. Subs Not Used: West, Ginty.
Sent Off: Crooks (67), Elliot Charles (85).
Wrexham: Maxwell, Spann, Westwood, Assoumani, Mike Williams, Jones (Fairhurst 64), Fleming, Smith, Sakho (McCluskey 79), Baynes, Gareth Taylor. Subs Not Used: Williamson, Marc Williams, Cieslewicz.
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