Wrexham were finally back in League One action on February 15th, facing off with Northampton Town.
Owing to the FA Cup, Wrexham did not have a game last weekend but have recently played out two EFL Trophy ties.
The Red Dragons came out on top on both occasions and will now take on Peterborough United in the semi-finals.
However, the priority is, of course, League One promotion, and Phil Parkinson’s side had a good chance to put some pressure on second-place Wycombe Wanderers with a win over Northampton Town in one of the day’s early kick-offs.
Here are five things we learned after Wrexham
Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer are fringe players for Wrexham now
So far this season, both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer have been involved in the majority of Wrexham’s matchday squads.
However, neither player even made it into the matchday squad for the meeting with Northampton.
The duo also missed out against Crawley and though Mullin has had an injury recently, it seems as though the previously key pair are now fifth and sixth-choice options.
Arthur Okoknwo still has work to do
Since his return from injury, Arthur Okonkwo has endured a mixed spell off form and was recently axed by Parkinson after conceding two very poor goals against Stevenage.
Okonkwo did impress against Bolton earlier this week but he did not seemingly do enough to regain his starting berth.
Mark Howard started against Northampton despite being second or third choice for several years now and with only two cup games left to play at most this term, the former Arsenal man looks set to have limited chances left to win back his place.
Sam Smith is a proper goalscorer
Wrexham went in front after 19 minutes on Saturday with Sam Smith getting his first goal since joining from Reading.
Howard launched a goal kick all the way into the opposition box, which the striker latched onto before finishing cooly.
It feels like an age since Wrexham have had a competent striker score a goal like that but it’s hopefully a sign of things to come from their record signing. 20+ goals this season is a real possibility.
Ollie Rathbone was a serious bargain
Wrexham’s second goal of the tie came just a minute or so after Smith’s and it was Ollie Rathbone who did all the work.
The midfielder took some time to get up to speed following his transfer from Rotherham United but since getting a proper run in the side, he’s been immense.
His work-rate is unmatched and his ability to chip in with goals has been so crucial to the club’s promotion push this term.
Phil Parkinson deserves huge credit
At times this season, Parkinson has received criticism for his style of play and for sticking with the same system.
However, while it was once again a 3-5-2, long-ball approach against Northampton, Wrexham players had a completely different energy about them.
They pressed very well, were first to most balls and just looked so much sharper than we have seen in some recent League One fixtures.
Parkinson will always have his detractors as he doesn’t play the most attractive football but he needs credit for firing his team up ahead of this clash.