West Bromwich Albion maintained their winning start to the Championship season with an impressive win at newly promoted Wrexham.
Isaac Price swept home his second goal in as many Championship games after Tom Fellows beat James McClean on the wing to give Ryan Mason’s side the lead on 20 minutes.
But after McClean and Kieffer Moore both went close moments earlier, Phil Parkinson’s side levelled proceedings two minutes before half-time as the Baggies failed to clear from Moore’s cross, with O’Brien lashing into the net for his first Wrexham goal since joining from Nottingham Forest.
One concern for Parkinson was the premature withdrawal of Josh Windass – scorer of Wrexham’s goal in the 2-1 defeat by Southampton last weekend – who suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the opening half.
Club record signing Nathan Broadhead was subsequently introduced for his debut after completing a switch from Ipswich Town – with the Wales international guiding an effort inches wide shortly after the restart.
Summer signing Conor Coady also went close for the home side with a header midway through the second half.
But Jed Wallace’s drilled strike beat Danny Ward at the near post as the Baggies restored their lead following a strong spell at the Stok Cae Ras.
Price nodded Mikey Johnston’s cross beyond Ward in the 81st minute, although substitute Sam Smith set up a tense finish with a 95th-minute header from Ryan Longman’s cross.
But West Brom held on to ensure they made it two wins from two at the start of a league campaign for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Wrexham remain without a point having lost their first two league fixtures in what is their first second-tier campaign since 1981-82.