Wrexham

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Phil Parkinson says he does not believe it is a two-horse race between Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers for second place in League One this season.

The Red Dragons earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stockport County on Saturday to rise above the Chairboys into the second and final automatic promotion spot in the third tier, although Wycombe have a game in hand.

With Charlton Athletic - like fifth-placed Stockport - suffering defeat at the weekend, Wrexham and Wycombe have a slightly larger gap between themselves and the chasing pack when it comes to the quest for a top two place this season.

But Parkinson said it would be a "dangerous mindset" to assume only two sides remain in the mix to join leaders Birmingham City in the top two come the end of the campaign.

"For quite a while people have been saying it's a two-horse race," he said. "I don't buy into that at all.

"It's a dangerous mindset to have, writing other teams off. Charlton have been on a brilliant run, they've come unstuck today."

Wrexham are now eight points above Charlton and nine clear of Stockport - with all three sides having eight games still to play.

"Us beating Stockport just opens that gap between us," added Parkinson.

"I'm just going to keep concentrating on ourselves and see if we can win enough games to keep us in that top two."

Wrexham are nine points behind leaders Birmingham, with the table-topping side also having two games in hand.

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Waynne Phillips hopes Jay Rodriguez can embark on a goal-scoring run over the final stages of the campaign after netting his first goal for Wrexham against Stockport County.

After seeing his penalty saved by Corey Addai, the striker fired into the net from the rebound to earn Phil Parkinson's men a 1-0 victory over Dave Challinor's side at the Stok Racecourse.

It was the striker's first goal on his 11th appearance since joining from Burnley during the January transfer window, and former Wrexham midfielder Phillips hopes the 35-year-old can now have a big impact over the final eight games of the season.

"I'm so happy for him," Phillips told BBC Radio Cymru.

"The longer he goes without a goal, I'm sure it'll play on his mind.

"It wasn't the best penalty but he was lucky that the ball fell back to him and he finished it well. 

"He could go on a run now and score four or five before the end of the season. That's what we hope for and that Wrexham keep on winning games."

Wrexham rose above Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand, into second place in the League One table courtesy of what was a fourth 1-0 victory in five games.

And while the performance against Stockport was far from perfect, Phillips says winning was all that matters for Wrexham.

"It looks very good (the table)," he added. "A win for Wrexham was all that was needed today.

"Stockport losing and Charlton losing heavily at Peterborough, so it's starting to look like it's between Wrexham and Wycombe for second place. 

"It was important to follow-up last weekend's win at Wycombe against Stockport today and that's exactly what Wrexham have done.

"There'll be no complaints tonight, everyone's gone home happy and there are only eight left now."

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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."

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Wrexham Women will play their upcoming home Adran Premier fixture with Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Stok Racecourse.

Steve Dale's side travel to Old Road to face the south Wales side on 23 March before hosting the same opposition in north Wales a week later (14:00 GMT).

Wrexham are bidding to continue their impressive run of form, with Dale's outfit winning their past seven matches in succession across all competitions.

They booked their place in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final for the second year running with a 4-0 win against Pontypridd United on Sunday.

Wrexham currently sit third in the Adran Premier, four points adrift of Briton Ferry with four league matches of the season remaining.

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Iwan Roberts says Wrexham provided a "brilliant" response to their defeat at Reading by beating Wycombe Wanderers.

Having lost 2-0 to the Royals four days earlier, Phil Parkinson's men defeated the Chairboys at Adams Park courtesy of Sam Smith's 78th minute goal on Saturday.

Victory lifted Wrexham above Wycombe into second in League One, although Mike Dodds' side could return to the automatic promotion places by beating Rotherham United in their game in hand on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT).

"It wasn't a classic. You could see that the two teams, not under pressure, but there were nerves out on the pitch because it was such a big game for both sides," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru Dros Frecwast.

"But what a goal to win it from Sam Smith.

"Of course there was a long delay due to a medical emergency with a Wrexham fan, and we had a delay of almost an hour before the players came back out after hearing the fan was in a stable condition.

"Wycombe had a chance right after the restart that was cleared off the line by George Dobson and then within seconds Sam Smith scores.

"But it's so close (in the table). Wycombe play tomorrow night, they're at Rotherham so they've got a chance to go second again.

"Charlton are only five points behind Wrexham and Stockport only six points behind, but it was a brilliant result after they had lost 2-0 at Reading."

Wrexham return to action against fifth-placed Stockport County at the Stok Racecourse on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

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Sam Smith believes Wrexham's hunger and aggressive nature paved the way for his side's return to winning ways at Wycombe Wanderers.

Phil Parkinson's side saw their four-game winning run away from home in the league come to an end on Tuesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Reading.

But they responded to that setback at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with a vital 1-0 win at Wycombe - with Smith scoring the only goal of the match at Adams Park.

Victory lifted Wrexham above the Chairboys into second in League One, and Smith lauded strike partner Steven Fletcher for his assist.

"I just know when Fletch comes on, he's a presence. If I can get around him he can create a chance," said Smith.

"I caught it sweet. I think it took a little nick, but it's in the back of the net, that's all that matters.

"It's massive. Everyone was bitterly disappointed on Tuesday night, it wasn't us, it was so far from what we want to be as a team.

"We came here today hungry and aggressive and I think the game plan worked.

"I want to be challenging for promotion and try and chip in with goals and put in good performances and hard work for the team.

"I'm looking forward to the nine massive games, but we'll take each one as it comes."

The match was delayed with the score at 0-0 as a Wrexham supporter needed medical attention.

The fan was later taken to hospital in a stable condition, with Smith netting his third goal since joining Wrexham in January shortly after play resumed.

The 27-year-old celebrated his strike in front of the travelling supporters and made a heart gesture in tribute to the fan.

"The gaffer made a clear point that we're here to play football, but people come to watch and it's what everyone loves," added the forward.

"When something happens like that, it puts things into perspective.

"We've heard he's in a stable condition so everyone's happy about that and I think he'll be delighted when he finds out the result.

"The manager said to go out there and do it for the fans, and I think we did that."

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Andy Morrell says Wrexham cannot afford to lose at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday (15:00 GMT) - but says the club are currently "well above" where he expected them to be this season.

Phil Parkinson's side were beaten 2-0 at Reading on Tuesday as they missed the chance to rise above Wycombe into second in League One.

But they could move into the automatic promotion spots with victory against the Chairboys, although former Wrexham player and manager Morrell feels the game at Adams Park is a must-not-lose for Parkinson's side.

"They can't lose the game," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"They need to take something out of this game.

"Wycombe have got 10 games left after [Wrexham] and six of those are against top-nine teams, so it's very much in our hands.

"We've got to just go there and play. Go and do what they've done all season which has been fantastic and well above where I expected them to be and try and get something out of the game."

Following a hectic schedule of late, Parkinson has suggested he will rotate his squad for the contest with Mike Dodds' outfit.

And Morrell praised Parkinson for the way he has kept his talented squad happy during his tenure in north Wales.

"I think that's his hardest task," added Morrell.

"He's done it brilliantly for the past two-and-a-half years because we've had a really good squad and he keeps adding to it so the depth is crazy.

"You keep everybody happy because the team is winning. They've done ever so well, to be right in contention with 10 games to go, I think everybody would've taken that at the start of the season."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges the challenges of keeping everyone in his squad happy and motivated and insisted everyone has a part to play.

The Dragons are currently third in League One with Saturday's opponents Wycombe Wanderers above them in second spot on goal difference.

Parkinson has said he will utilise his squad for the game with injury doubts over a number of players following the midweek loss at Reading.

The manager said that with fierce competition in the squad some players were going to miss out.

"They're all good lads and they understand. Everybody knows there's a goal that everyone is striving for," Parkinson said.

"We speak to the lads who are not involved a lot and the key to our success over the last few years has been the strength of the group and the characters in that dressing room and this year's no different.

"Whether you play for two minutes, 92 minutes or don't make the squad – everybody's got a part to play in terms of the way they train every day and the way they conduct themselves around the training ground.

"That's really important to us because unfortunately we can only pick 11 players to start and then another seven on the bench and there's nothing we can do about it.

"We make selections with lots of things in mind.

"Some players are in good form and go into the team and others out and that changes as we go along.

"We also look at training as well, who's looking in good form because that counts for a lot."

Parkinson cited the attitude of former club captain Luke Young after the midfielder lost his starting place.

Young, a member of a squad who won back to back promotions along with Paul Mullin and Olly Palmer, left to join Cheltenham Town last summer.

"A couple of years ago I remember closing in on the National League title and Luke Young found himself out of the team – a stalwart of the team," Parkinson added.

"I remember the game we left him out and everybody felt 'Youngy's out of the team' and at the time I felt he needed a bit of a breather.

"Andy Cannon came in and grasped his opportunity and that's what happens during the course of a season.

"Youngy's a great example because as much as he found himself suddenly out of the team he conducted himself brilliantly and played his part – as he did last year.

"That's just the nature of a football squad in the course of a season."

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Wrexham have paid tribute to former goalkeeper Steve Fleet who has died aged 87 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Fleet made 96 competitive first team appearances for Wrexham between 1963 and 1966 after joining from Manchester City.

He signed for Stockport County in 1966 and played a key role in helping the club end the campaign as Division Four champions.

Fleet took up coaching after retiring from professional football and had spells in charge of Icelandic sides IA Akranes and IBV.

A Wrexham statement read: "Everyone at Wrexham AFC send their deepest condolences to his son Wesley and their wider family at this sad time."

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Phil Parkinson admits he may need to rotate his squad for Wrexham's vital League One fixture with Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Red Dragons saw their four-game winning streak away from home in the league come to an end on Tuesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Reading.

Parkinson has been dealt a number of injury concerns following the game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium prior to this weekend's trip to Adams Park.

Ollie Rathbone, George Dobson, Seb Revan and Ryan Barnett will all be assessed as Wrexham look to leapfrog the Chairboys into second place in League One with victory in Buckinghamshire.

"It's a huge game for us and it was always going to be irrespective of tonight's result [against Reading]," said Parkinson.

"There's a few knocks, Ollie Rathbone played, Dobson wasn't quite right, Seb's twisted his ankle a little bit.

"Barney (Barnett) got clattered towards the end twice which doesn't look too good, so there's several things we need to assess quickly.

"We've just got to pick ourselves up quickly and we will, we'll be ready for action.

"There's a lot to play for. Sometimes things go for you, sometimes they don't but we'll come back ready to respond at the weekend."

Jack Marriott was left out of the matchday squad at Reading, with fellow forward Mo Faal being introduced off the bench late on against Noel Hunt's side.

And Parkinson confirmed after the loss to the Royals that the selection was purely tactical.

"I just thought Mo deserved a chance tonight. I thought he did well when he got on," added Parkinson.

"He's trained really well and he got a goal the last time he started for us.

"I thought [Reading] could be vulnerable from crosses, but we didn't get enough in the box in the first half. It's no more than that."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has acknowledged his side's 2-0 defeat at Reading was a missed opportunity.

Victory would have seen Parkinson's side move above Wycombe Wanderers – who they face on Saturday - into second spot in League One.

"It was a great opportunity and we haven't taken it," Parkinson said. "That's the harsh reality of it.

"Preparation was good, we came down here ready to give it our all and we came up short. We move on to Wycombe."

Parkinson bemoaned the penalty awarded in the Reading game and says the decision changed the course of the game.

Reading were awarded a penalty early in the second half after Eoghan O'Connell was adjudged to have fouled Jayden Wareham and Harvey Knibbs scored from the spot.

Lewis Wing scored Reading's second seven minutes later to seal victory and deny Wrexham the chance of moving up to second in League One.

"It's one of the softest penalties I've seen for many a year," Parkinson said.

"How he's given that is absolutely incredible. Honestly you've got to see it to believe it.

"Of course we can do better and it's not all about the ref – we've had chances to get back into the game and we haven't taken them.

"But the game changed on that decision.

"Their second goal, the lad's struck it brilliantly, but we can still do better.

"Obviously they got their tails us didn't they and it was an extra energy about them which happens obviously when you get quickfire goals.

"We felt that if we'd have got one we'd get back into the game and we so nearly did."

"It just wasn't to be."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson could be forced to make changes for Tuesday night's League One game at Reading because of injury worries.

The Red Dragons moved level on points with second placed Wycombe Wanderers with a 1-0 against Rotherham on Saturday, in a game where midfielder Ollie Rathbone and wing-back Ryan Longman suffered fitness concerns.

"Ollie Rathbone cramped up. Hopefully it was just cramp. I wasn't going to take a risk with him because he's been brilliant for us," Parkinson said.

"Ryan Longman was struggling a bit towards the end. But you're always going to get that when the games are coming thick and fast. But I feel we've got the squad to cope with that."

Parkinson does hope to have George Dobson available again for the trip to Reading.

The midfielder suffered an ankle injury in last Tuesday's 1-0 win at Huddersfield, and was not available for selection against Rotherham.

Another option in midfield for Parkinson is George Evans

The 30-year-old made his first league appearance since October against Rotherham on Saturday following ankle surgery earlier on this season.

"We've got to give George credit because he's been unlucky this season.

"He got himself back in the team and then got a bad injury against Stevenage, and he's worked hard."

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Phil Parkinson believes his Wrexham players will fully embrace what promises to be a "mouth-watering" week for the club.

The north Wales side moved level on points with second-placed Wycombe in League One after earning a 1-0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday.

Wrexham face Parkinson's former club Reading in Berkshire tonight (19:45 GMT) before facing Wycombe at Adams Park on Saturday, and the Wrexham boss feels his squad is well placed to continue to deliver in what could be a pivotal week in the club's quest for a third successive promotion.

"It's great going into those games with a home win," said Parkinson.

"These are the weeks you want to be involved in. We've come a long way as a team and a club.

"They're mouth-watering prospects and I want the lads to enjoy it and play like we did at Huddersfield and like we have away from home recently.

"Reading is a great stage to play on and I feel like we've got the players who will go and embrace that."

Parkinson played over 350 games for Reading from 1992-2003, the final club of his playing career.

"I was there 11 years and it's a great club, in a bit of turmoil behind the scenes at the moment which is sad to see, but it's not the only club which goes through those periods.

"I've got a lot of good friends down there and my kids we born in Reading, I lived there for 11 years so I always look forward to going back.

"But my focus is purely on the performance level and getting it as high as we possibly can."

The fixture at the Select Car Leasing Stadium will see Sam Smith return to his former club for the first time since joining Wrexham in January.

Smith netted the winner against Rotherham on Saturday to bag his first home goal for Wrexham having scored in a 2-0 win at Northampton Town in February.

It comes after Smith netted 11 goals for the Royals in the opening half of the campaign and the forward fully expects a tough test against his former employers as Wrexham seek a fifth successive away league victory.

"They're a very good team, young and energetic. They're fighting for the play-offs so they'll be giving everything they've got," he said.

"It's going to be very strange but I'm looking forward to going back.

"Incredible memories, incredible people and an incredible club."

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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo says he is getting back to his best after the injury that kept him out for two months.

Okonkwo made some key saves to ensure a third clean sheet in a row in Saturday's 1-0 win over Rotherham at the Stok Racecourse.

The 23-year-old former Arsenal trainee is showing the kind of form that earned him plenty of plaudits earlier in the campaign before he broke his wrist in November.

"That was the first serious injury I've had as a professional," he said.

"It's difficult coming back from something like that - you lose consistency and momentum."

Okonkwo now feels he is reaching the levels he showed prior to his injury.

"It's taken a bit of time and I had to take a step back to go forward again, but I'm feeling good now. I'm happy to be back," he added.

"Three clean sheets on the bounce...I'm delighted with that. The manager loves clean sheets and we want to keep as many as possible."

Saturday's shut-out - and Sam Smith's winner - moved Wrexham level on points with second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, with a crunch meeting between the two rivals for League One's second automatic promotion spot looming on Saturday.

Before that weekend trip, Wrexham travel to eighth-placed Reading on Tuesday night, their confidence boosted by a run of four successive away victories.

"Our away form is really good going into these two matches," said Okonkwo.

"We've changed our mentality on the road, and it's good to see us getting wins.

"Reading will be another big challenge. We know how good they are. We'll give it our best and show the same sort of focus [as Saturday]."