Wrexham

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James McClean admits it was a case of "third time lucky" as he scored the opener in Wrexham's pivotal 2-1 win at Blackpool.

McClean was unable to score with a pair of big chances either side of the restart at Bloomfield Road but struck a fine effort beyond Harry Tyrer in the 61st minute.

The former Republic of Ireland international says his goal was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday having turned 36 the day after the victory against Steve Bruce's side, adding that striker Sam Smith did not get the final touch on his shot.

"We've seen it back a few times, it's definitely my goal. He's (Smith) not getting that," said McClean.

"It was overdue as well, so I'm delighted to score. I almost scored two before that, one great save and I haven't seen the header back, I probably got too good a connection on it.

"But it was third time lucky, and a nice birthday present. My wife and two eldest kids were in the crowd as well. It was fantastic for them and to send them (fans) home happy."

The triumph over Blackpool combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 4-0 loss at home to Charlton Athletic saw Wrexham rise back above the Chairboys into second place in League One.

Phil Parkinson's men sit two points above Wycombe and four above their next opponents Charlton with just two matches of the regular season left to play.

But McClean says Wrexham can't afford to take anything for granted as they continue their quest to clinch a third successive promotion.

"It (Blackpool win) puts us back in a great position," he added.

"We've been here before and at this stage of the season, there's always twists and turns, you can't take anything for granted.

"The players and the staff have to remain professional, block out that noise and just go about doing our job.

"There's a lot of pressure at this stage of the season and pressure is a privilege because it means there's something expected of you.

"We have to see it that way and embrace it."

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Phil Parkinson says the race to secure automatic promotion from League One is "not over yet" as Wrexham bid to return to winning ways at Blackpool.

The Red Dragons dropped to third place after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers on Friday as Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers.

But Parkinson has urged his players to "believe a bit more" before the trip to Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST) as Wrexham remain in pursuit of a top two spot.

"Of course, not winning today [against Bristol Rovers] adds importance on to that game," said the manager.

"We've done well on our travels recently, can we continue that?

"I just want the lads to believe a bit more and I just felt we looked, not positive today. Our actions were just a little bit laboured and we need to free up a little bit.

"It's not over yet. We're in contention and we've still got a great chance."

Wrexham have largely impressed on the road of late, suffering just one defeat in nine away league matches since losing 2-1 at Shrewsbury Town in mid-January.

"Our away form at the end of January, we averaged just over a point per game and we've taken that to just over two points per game," added Parkinson.

"We needed to do that because we've had more away games than home games in the last few months of the season.

"We're obviously pleased with the return, but now we need to continue that at Blackpool."

Wrexham currently trail second-placed Wycombe by one point with three games remaining. The Chairboys also boast a superior goal difference.

Following the trip to Blackpool, Wrexham host Charlton Athletic at the Stok Cae Ras on April 26 before rounding off the regular season at Lincoln City a week later.

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Matty James hopes to use his time at Leicester City as inspiration to help Wrexham gain promotion from League One this season.

The 33-year-old was on the score sheet as the Foxes defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 on the final day of the 2012-13 Championship regular season to sneak into the play-offs in dramatic fashion.

James netted what could yet be a crucial equaliser as Wrexham came from behind to earn a point against Bristol Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras on Friday.

The draw - combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers - saw Phil Parkinson's side drop to third in the table with just three matches of the regular season left to play.

But having played a key role in crunch periods during his career already, James says Wrexham need to embrace being in such a strong position as they look to earn a third successive promotion.

"I've been involved in promotion races that went to the last kick of the season, away at Nottingham Forest for Leicester, so there's so many twists and turns," said the midfielder.

"Football is a tough sport and things don't always go your way, but the position that we're in, it's a great position.

"Let's enjoy that position and embrace the challenge."

Wrexham trail second-placed Wycombe by one point ahead of their next fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST).

Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both remain in the hunt to finish behind champions Birmingham City in the top two this season.

And with the Chairboys facing the Addicks and the Hatters during their run-in, James hopes there will be more twists in the promotion race.

"The club's come so far and when you're in these positions and competing at the top end of the league, it's better than being at the bottom end of the league," he added.

"It's about enjoying it, trying to stay as relaxed as you possibly can and not getting overly emotional.

"It's just about making sure we understand certain aspects in certain stages of the game.

"You can look at the league and it might turn again on Monday. But there's still two more games to be played after that, and hopefully there will be a couple more twists."

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Phil Parkinson urged his Wrexham players to enjoy the situation the club currently finds itself in as he hopes for more twists over the final stages of the League One run-in.

Wrexham drew 1-1 with relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras, a result that saw them drop to third as automatic promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers.

The hosts were well below their best against a Bristol Rovers side that went into the match on the back of six successive defeats and had the worst away record in the third tier.

Parkinson feels his players need to embrace the position they are currently in as they remain firmly in the mix to clinch a top two spot with three games of the regular season left to play.

"I just want the lads to enjoy the situation more than it looked like today (against Bristol Rovers)," said the Wrexham manager.

"We've done brilliantly to be where we are. We're still in a great position.

"Whether we succeed or fail this season, I want us to do it by playing better over the course of the 90 minutes than we did today.

"If that gets us over the line, then great. If it doesn't, at least we've had a real go.

"I said to the lads at half time, 'win, lose or draw today, we've got to come off the pitch and have a bit more inspiration and belief as a team'.

"I just felt we looked like a team with the handbrake on at times."

Wrexham sit just one point behind second-placed Wycombe, although the Chairboys have a superior goal difference.

The Red Dragons return to action against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST).

They then host Charlton Athletic in their final home game of the regular season on 26 April before travelling to Lincoln City a week later.

"There's still three games to go and hopefully there's more twists along the way," said Parkinson.

"We've just got to concentrate on what we've got to do in terms of playing consistently better over the 90 minutes and producing key moments."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says his nomination as manager of the year is a tribute to his squad and staff - but has put thoughts of awards on hold.

Parkinson, 57, was this week named on a four-man shortlist for the League One honour as Wrexham chase a third successive promotion.

Chris Davies - who led Birmingham City to the title in his first season as manager - is also among the contenders for the EFL prize, alongside Nathan Jones and Richie Wellens of promotion-hunting Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient.

The winner will be announced on 27 April, when potential promotion will not have been decided.

Parkinson - whose side lead third-placed Wycombe Wanderers by a point going into Friday's visit of Bristol Rovers - says the chance of an award is not on his mind.

"It's pleasing to be nominated, but any accolades I get will be through finishing the job off," said Parkinson, aiming for a sixth career promotion as a manager.

"It's great and it's a team effort so it's for the players and staff as well, but right now it's about not getting carried away with anything else other than performances."

Second-placed Wrexham have four games of the season remaining, starting with the clash with relegation-threatened Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras. Wycombe, meanwhile, travel to a Bolton Wanderers side still in with a chance of the play-offs.

"At this stage you know who the opposition are playing - early on you haven't got the time to study everyone's fixtures but as it draws to this stage you do," said Parkinson.

"Wycombe, Charlton, Stockport will be looking at our games, we're looking at theirs, but it's about taking care of our own business and starting on Friday we're going to give it everything to try and do that."

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is among the nominees for the EFL's League One manager of the year award.

Parkinson's side are second in the League One table, one point clear of third-placed Wycombe Wanderers with four games remaining this season.

With Wrexham chasing an unprecedented third successive promotion, Parkinson's efforts have been recognised by the EFL.

He is nominated alongside Chris Davies, whose Birmingham side have already sealed the League One title, Charlton boss Nathan Jones and Leyton Orient's Richie Wellens.

There is no Wrexham representative in the player of the season nominations.

The winners of awards throughout the divisions will be announced at the English Football League's annual awards ceremony in London on Sunday, 27 April.

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Their advantage in the race for automatic promotion to the Championship may be slim, but Wrexham would surely have settled for their current position before a ball was kicked in 2024-25.

With four games remaining this season, Phil Parkinson's team are second in League One.

They have a golden chance to seal a third successive promotion – and are masters of their own destiny.

There was some disappointment for the Dragons as they were held to a goalless draw by a Wigan Athletic side who are without a win in six matches last weekend.

That result, coupled with Wycombe Wanderers' late winner against Stevenage, saw Wrexham's advantage over the third-placed Chairboys cut to one point.

But the fact remains that Wrexham are in the box seat – and on paper at least, they have the more favourable run-in.

Parkinson's side are back in action when they host 21st-placed Bristol Rovers on Friday. The Pirates head across the border having lost six successive games, while Wrexham have been beaten in only two of their 21 home league fixtures so far this season.

Wrexham then go to Blackpool, who are 10th, next Monday, before taking on fifth-placed Charlton Athletic at home and travelling to mid-table Lincoln City to round off the season.

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Wycombe, meanwhile, travel to Bolton Wanders – who are eighth and firmly in the play-off race – this Friday before they also entertain Charlton.

Mike Dodds' team then visit seventh-placed Leyton Orient on the penultimate weekend of the campaign before a final-day home game against Stockport County.

Of course, depending on how results go in the meantime, Stockport may have something to fight for on 3 May. As things stand, the Edgeley Park side are four points worse off than Wycombe in fourth.

Dave Challinor's team must also face Peterborough (away), Huddersfield (home) and Lincoln (home) as the third-tier season reaches its climax.

Charlton are a point worse off than Stockport in fifth, and need something special in their games at Wycombe and Wrexham – as well as home fixtures against Northampton and Burton – if they are to mount what looks an unlikely late push for second place behind Birmingham City.

The Addicks look much more likely to end up in the play-offs.

The hope for Parkinson is that Wrexham will not be there too.

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Manager Phil Parkinson was delighted forward Jack Marriott was back among the goals as Wrexham maintained their bid for automatic promotion to the Championship.

Marriott, 30, suffered a broken leg in training in October 2024 which required surgery.

Marriott, who scored five goals for Wrexham in League One before his injury, netted the third in the 3-0 win over Burton Albion last Saturday.

"That goal was brilliant for him and for us," Parkinson said.

"It was tough for Jack - I remember going back to that day he got injured.

"Then in January when he was on his way back and we were looking at recruitment and brining players in I said to everybody – 'let's just remember we had Jack, who had a great start to the season'.

"He wasn't quite there yet, but there was an expectation and the potential for him to get back to the heights he reached early in the season."

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It looks like Wrexham fans will be biting their nails right through until the end of the season with the League One promotion race heading down to the wire.

Wycombe Wanderers' 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, their game in hand, keeps them on Wrexham's tail in the battle to finish second - and the dream of a third successive promotion at the Stok Racecourse on hold for a little longer.

Crucially, automatic promotion to the Championship remains firmly in Wrexham's hands - they are three points ahead of Wycombe with each having five games left.

But Wanderers' win over Huddersfield means Easter Monday is the earliest the Red Dragons could go up.

Even then, that supposes Wrexham can claim at least seven points from their next three games - Wigan Athletic away on 12 April followed by Bristol Rovers on Good Friday and Blackpool on Easter Monday - while Wycombe lose two of their next three.

It is therefore likely to come down to either the penultimate weekend of the season, when Wrexham host play-off chasing Charlton Athletic, or the final day, when Phil Parkinson's side travel to Lincoln City.

Clearly, Wrexham fans would love to celebrate elevation to the second tier of English football for the first time in 43 years on their own turf.

But if the promotion party is delayed by seven days, another bumper travelling crowd will be at Lincoln's Sincil Bank on 3 May to kick-start the celebrations, with Wrexham's allocation of 1,800 tickets going on sale on Thursday.

Of course, it is possible there could be no celebrations until much later in May if Wycombe capitalise on any Wrexham slips and beat them to second place.

In which case, Wrexham would have to do it the hard way - needing just one more point from their remaining five games to guarantee a place in the play-offs - and hope champagne corks are popping at Wembley instead at the end of the League One play-off final on 25 May.