Smith doubles up as Racers are made to pay for defensive lapses

The striker opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after a defensive lapse from the home side and rounded off the action with a confident finish in the fourth-minute of injury time.

The second goal was harsh on Racing Club who had shown signs of getting back into the match after a nervy first half dominated by Saints.

However, despite periods of pressure, they failed to sufficiently test visiting keeper Ollie Manuel, who only had one save of note to make.

Smith had looked the most likely to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, but after excellent link-up play from Pawel Tomczak and Chris Murphy he was unable to guide the ball home at the far post.

The striker’s industry also created chances which were spurned by Chris Hayden and Marc Passey, while Tomczak was unable to get a clean strike on goal after the Racing defenders’ failed to deal with Manuel’s booming goal kick.

The hosts began to get a foothold in the game in the closing stages of the half with makeshift striker Tom Cooper inches away from converting a Jason Davis cross with the goal gaping.

After battling hard to remain on level terms, Racers shot themselves in the foot within seven minutes of the restart.

Jack Banks was in little danger as he received a pass on the edge of his own box, but stumbled over the ball and then sold Joe Weston short with his backpass to allow Tomczak to intercept.

Weston did well to halt the striker’s progress, but Murphy picked up the loose ball and put it into the six-yard box where Smith reacted quickest to fire home.

Manuel had to be alert to shepherd a Scott Watkin drive around the post as Racers responded, while Murphy will feel he should have done better with a chip after being afforded time and space on the edge of the home box.

The Saints keeper was again called into action in the 69th minute, gratefully falling onto the ball as it threatened to cross the line following a bout of pinball in the visitors’ box.

However, despite Saints losing a grip of midfield, it was still they who were creating the more clear-cut chances.

Marc Passey released Smith who turned his marker inside out to create space before dragging his shot just wide of th efar post, while Passey was equally wasteful when he shot over in the 87th minute.

As the game entered added-on time, Weston saved bravely at the feet of Smith but he was powerless minutes later to prevent the Saints striker drilling the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box.

 Racing Club went into Wednesday night’s game on the back of two encouraging performances which had seen them beat Pilkington XXX 3-1 and hold their own for long periods despite a 3-1 home defeat to in-form Walsall Wood.