Wrexham knew that three points could have been enough to move them into the League One automatic promotion places if other results went their way.
Before the match, Steve Evans had praised Phil Parkinson as Wrexham were hoping to replicate their victory over Rotherham from earlier in the season.
Elliot Lee replaced the injured George Dobson in midfield, whilst Ryan Longman and Sebastian Revan continued as the wing-backs for the Red Dragons.
A goalless first half saw Sam Smith with Wrexham’s best chance of the half but he struck straight at the keeper whilst Arthur Okonkwo produced a stunning save to prevent the Red Dragons from falling behind.
Smith did break the deadlock shortly after half time as he pounced upon Jay Rodriguez’s flick on to calmly roll the ball past the Rotherham keeper as he bared down on goal.
Wrexham dug in to see out the game and they move level on points with Wycombe Wanderers in final automatic promotion place.
Wrexham produced another gritty display as they chip away at second place, here are the winners and losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Rotherham United at the Racecourse Ground.
Winners from Wrexham’s clash with Rotherham United
Sam Smith
Smith had endured a frustrating start to his Wrexham career as service into him was becoming few and far between. He cut an isolated figure against Huddersfield and his own play was beginning to suffer.
However, from the first minute Smith was at it and caused all sorts of problem for the Rotherham back line. His link up play particularly with Revan was promising in the first half and chances were falling to him.
He got his rewards for his hard work early in the second half as Rodriguez’s flick on fell beautifully for Smith to produce a really composed finish past the keeper Dillon Phillips.
Jay Rodriguez
Wrexham fans were unimpressed with Rodriguez following his display against Huddersfield Town and the experience striker came into the game under pressure for his place in the side.
Whilst he still didn’t stand out in the match like some would expect him to, Rodriguez did work tirelessly and produced his first real meaningful moment at the Racecourse Ground as he flicked on for Smith’s goal.
Parkinson will hope that is the spark the strike partnership needed and that both players can now kick on towards the end of the season.
Eoghan O’Connell
Another outstanding performance at the heart of the Wrexham defence from Eoghan O’Connell. Since taking the armband from James McClean the 29-year-old has taken his game to another level.
It is as if the responsibility of being captain has brought something extra out of O’Connell as he won absolutely everything in the air and on the ground.
He made several crucial interceptions and blocks as Wrexham held off late pressure from the visitors and marshalled the team to a win that could prove all important come the end of the campaign.
Arthur Okonkwo
A third successive clean sheet for Okonkwo and there are now significant signs he is back to his best following a nasty wrist injury.
Okonkwo has had to fend off competition from Mark Howard in recent months but there is no doubt now he will be Wrexham’s number one during the promotion run in.
He made two outstanding saves against Rotherham to preserve his clean sheet and he commanded his area so well to take pressure off of his tremendous defence.
Losers from Wrexham’s clash with Rotherham United
Elliot Lee
Lee was given his chance in midfield and many supporters had been calling for Parkinson to bring some creativity into the middle of the park to provide service to the front two.
However, Lee struggled to get to the pace of the game following his injury lay-off and was slow on the ball and often second to loose balls.
He endured a torrid time up against Rotherham’s Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who got the better of Lee in virtually every single duel.