Wrexham took on Gary Bowyer’s Burton Albion at the Racecourse Ground in their latest League One test.
Phil Parkinson kept the same side that drew with Cambridge 2-2 as George Dobson looked to build upon his first Wrexham league goal in midfield.
Charlie Webster was sent off early on for Burton Albion but Wrexham were growing frustrated as they struggled to break down the stubborn resistance.
That changed when Sam Smith earned a penalty after chasing down what looked a lost cause and drawing the foul from goalkeeper Max Crocombe, Steven Fletcher dispatched the penalty.
Smith got his own reward for his incredible work rate as he coolly slotted home the second following an excellent pick out from Ryan Longman.
Jack Marriott added gloss on the result from the substitutes bench as he pounced on some hesitant defending to fire into the far corner.
A huge result for the Red Dragons as they move six points clear of Wycombe in League One following the Chairboys 1-0 defeat to Reading.
READ MORE: Wrexham player ratings vs Burton Albion as Sam Smith and Ryan Longman shine in huge win
Wrexham take a huge step towards promotion with victory, here are the winners and losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Burton Albion
Winners from Wrexham’s clash with Burton Albion
Ryan Longman
Longman provided Smith with the equaliser against Cambridge in the previous game and he repeated the feat at the Racecourse Ground with an exquisite pass down the side of the Burton defence.
The January signing was a constant threat from the first minute and showed his versatility by starring on both flanks in each half.
His deliveries into the box caused Burton problems all afternoon and Parkinson will be delighted with the impact Longman is having on the promotion run in.
Sam Smith
A feature of Smith’s game at Wrexham has been coming to life in vital moments and that is exactly what happened once again.
He was shackled well for more than hour before his tireless work ethic was rewarded by winning the penalty to get his side the break through.
Smith then got his personal reward by taking his goal well as he slotted past Crocombe to notch in his second consecutive match.
Steven Fletcher
Super sub strikes again as Fletcher is brought on from the bench to make a goal scoring impact for the Red Dragons.
He was brought on slightly earlier than usual as Jay Rodriguez went off in the first half with a suspected knock and Fletcher hit the ground running with his physical presence.
When Smith won the penalty, the experienced striker stepped up with huge pressure on his shoulders and dispatched the spot kick was such confidence into the top left corner.
Phil Parkinson
Parkinson made some bold and early substitutes that changed the course of the game and prevented a nervy afternoon for his side.
Burton defended deep after the sending off and his side were struggling to create chances before a double substitution at half time brought some energy and life into his team.
His decision was rewarded when one of his substitutes in Fletcher opened the scoring and late on Marriott also used his freshness to pounce for a third.
Loser from Wrexham’s clash with Burton Albion
Jay Rodriguez
The striker was brought off just after the half hour mark with a suspected injury. Rodriguez was seen receiving treatment for a knock on the bench before returning to the Wrexham dressing room.
With five vital games remaining, Rodriguez will now be hoping that the injury doesn’t rule him out for anymore of the promotion run in.