Walsall 3-1 Wrexham - Wrexham end 2023 with heavy defeat at Walsall

Player of the match Isaac Hutchinson was among the Walsall goal scorers

Wrexham dropped down to third in League Two with a 3-1 defeat away to Walsall.

Jack Earing's shot into the bottom right corner gave Walsall the lead before Paul Mullin levelled.

Tom Knowles was penalised for a handball in the box and Mullin made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Isaac Hutchinson's free-kick restored the home side's lead after the break, before Taylor Allen's close range effort on the counter attack sealed a deserved win.

The result ends Wrexham's three match winning run, while Walsall rise to 13th in the table with back-to-back victories.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: "Obviously disappointing to lose. I thought the first half it was a good game, both teams all out and a lot of good football played.

"Second half I felt the [Hutchinson] goal just gave them a huge lift of energy.

"Two teams who have played back-to-back games quickly and the goal gave them a lift of adrenalin and we found it difficult to respond today.

"We probably tried to force things after that."