Rochdale player-manager Paul Simpson scored a hat-trick to help his side to a superb 5-2 victory away at Wrexham.

The Welsh side took the lead when a sweeping move was finished off by Stephen Thomas after 13 minutes.

But the unbeaten Red Dragons then gifted Rochdale three quick goals.

Lee McEvilly scored after a goalmouth scramble after 15 minutes before Simpson struck a superb free-kick seven minutes later.

Gareth Griffiths made it three shortly afterwards before an excellent Andy Morrell volley dragged the home side back into it after after 37 minutes.

However, a controversial penalty provided Simpson with his second goal of the game just before the break, before another spot-kick on 59 minutes completed the scoring.

Wrexham: Dibble, Pejic, Lawrence, Roberts, Carlos Edwards, Thomas, Whitley, Ferguson, Holmes, Morrell, Trundle. Subs: Rogers, Paul Edwards, Bennett, Campbell, Sam.

Rochdale: Edwards, Evans, Griffiths, Macauley, Doughty, Duffy, Flitcroft, Oliver, Simpson, McEvilly, Platt. Subs: Gilks, Townson, Jobson, Connor, Warner.

Referee: P Rejer (Worcestershire)