Wrexham have slipped up in the League One promotion race after falling to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.
Wrexham closed the gap to second-placed Wycombe Wanderers over the weekend, beating Northampton Town 2-0.
That left Wrexham just two points behind Wycombe in the race for promotion – but the gap is now back up to five points again.
Wrexham lost 2-1 to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night despite taking a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Ollie Rathbone’s goalscoring quality as on show once again as he fired Wrexham ahead before Charlie Kelman and Jamie Donley won it for Orient.
Wycombe Wanderers beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 to compound the frustration for Wrexham, with the Chairboys extending their lead again.
Leyton Orient boss hails one Wrexham player
This just wasn’t Wrexham’s night.
Orient have been in sensational form and Tuesday’s win means they have now claimed 12 victories in their last 15 League One games.
Wrexham needed to step up to the challenge but it was a flat performance, especially in the second half.
Rathbone was a rare bright spot but Orient boss Richie Wellens did actually pick out a Wrexham player for praise.
Wellens praised Wrexham’s spending before the game but it is actually a National League addition who has caught his eye.
Wing back Ryan Barnett joined Wrexham from Solihull Moors in 2023 and has continuously made the step up with ease as Wrexham rise.
Barnett has ripped defences apart this season with eight assists to his name and Wellens has now sent praise in his direction.
Speaking to Orient’s official YouTube channel after the final whistle, Wellens highlighted that Barnett is a ‘dangerous’ player who can cause real problems.
Wellens pointed out that Wrexham love to progress the ball across the pitch and attempt to isolate Barnett against a full back, where his pace, trickery and crossing ability can be a real weapon.
“I thought we stated the game really well but, against these, if you allow the ball to be one side and you allow them to switch it to the eight, they then get it to the wing back, especially the right wing back… he’s dangerous, he’s got a really good amount of assists this year, then they’re dangerous,” said Wellens.
“That happened for the corner that led to the goal, we didn’t defend the corner really well,” he added.
Phil Parkinson praise for Ryan Barnett
Barnett had a great battle with Orient left back Jayden Sweeney but ended up on the losing side.
Phil Parkinson was still happy with Barnett’s performance though and actually highlighted his display when speaking to Wrexham Match Day Live.
Parkinson felt that Barnett was having a strong outing and looked ‘threatening’ against the Orient back line.
“Barney was having a good day against the lad at left back and he was threatening,” said Parkinson before cursing that the ball just wouldn’t drop for Sam Smith to score on numerous occasions.
Barnett has new competition at right wing back after Wrexham snapped up Ryan Longman in the January transfer window.
That should light a fire under Barnett; he will be desperate to prove that he should be one of the first names on the Wrexham team sheet.
Both Parkinson and Wellens are fans of Barnett and that just goes to show what a season the Wrexham wing back is having as he pushes for 10 assists at League One level.