Rodriguez's 'relief' after one of 'worst' penalties

Jay Rodriguez admits it was a "relief" to finally get off the mark for Wrexham despite his goal coming immediately after one of the "worst penalties" he has taken in his career.

The veteran striker, 35, netted his first goal on his 11th appearance since moving to north Wales from Burnley in January.

But even ending his goal drought was not without concern as Rodriguez saw his penalty saved by Stockport County goalkeeper Corey Addai in the meeting between the sides at the Stok Racecourse on Saturday.

Fortunately for Rodriguez, he was alert to guide the rebound into the net from a tight angle as Wrexham secured another vital 1-0 win in their quest for a third successive promotion.

"The main thing is the three points, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about getting the goal," said Rodriguez.

"It's a nice relief. I've always said to myself that if I continue to work hard, keep improving in every training session, do my finishing and keep knuckling down, hopefully it'll come good.

"I've always had that belief, it's done good for me throughout my career so I won't change now. Hopefully I can get on a run and help the team."

On his spot-kick, Rodriguez said: "I think it's probably one of the worst penalties I've ever taken to be honest, it was meant to go higher than that and into the corner.

"But fortunately it bounced for me and I finished it. Hopefully if I do take another one it'll go straight in."

Victory lifted Wrexham back above Wycombe Wanderers into second place in League One, although the Chairboys, who are three points behind the Welsh side, have a game in hand.

Rodriguez says he was grateful for his transfer to north Wales in the opening month of the year as the club continues to aim for the upper echelons of the football pyramid.

"You have to dream big otherwise there's no point in turning up every day and working hard. The best place to be is in the Premier League," added the forward.

"We've got eight really important games now. You can't look too far ahead but you can dream, but you have to take care of business.

"It's really admirable that the club's been from where it's been to be where it is now and it's still pushing now, it's something I'm really proud to be a part of.

"It's a big thing for me to leave my hometown club Burnley, it had to be a really big project, and obviously Wrexham is a massive project.

"To be asked to come along, I'm grateful for the opportunity. It had to be a big thing, and it was a good situation for all."