Wrexham boss Brian Little was relieved after holding off a battling display from an Oxford United side that played for most of their 2-0 loss a man short.
Luke Foster was shown red on 11 minutes for fouling Shaun Whalley as the Dragons front man went through on goal.
But it was not until Jefferson Louis' 90th-minute goal that Wrexham enjoyed a two-goal cushion to calm their nerves.
"They deserve credit for their second-half attitude towards the man down and an aggressive game plan," Little said.
"They went with two forwards and put us under pressure and we nearly paid the price.
"But we played to our strengths, playing quick, getting at them, putting them under pressure and trying to get the ball off them in good areas."
Steve Evans' first-half header gave Wrexham a slim lead after Louis had seen his penalty, awarded for the foul on Whalley, saved by Oxford goalkeeper Jake Cole.
Louis had already hit the bar with a looping header against his former club - one of 16 the striker has now played for - but rounded things off in style with his injury-time strike.
"I look at Jeff's goal at the end - it's a magnificent goal and I'm really pleased for him because he's had a few chances in the match to score," Little added,
"He'll make the odd mistake but he's a real handful and we think we've got something there that can cause problems to teams.
606: DEBATE"He might have games where it doesn't go for him but he's great for us, leads the line well, is strong and wants to do well."
The win at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night moved Wrexham up to second place in the Blue Square Premiership.
However, that will change once the rest of the teams in the division play their game in hand on Saturday.
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