Wrexham couldn’t secure another away victory on Tuesday night as Phil Parkinson’s side drew 2-2 away at Cambridge United.
Wrexham’s away form has really turned around since losing to Shrewsbury Town in January.
Trips on the road are no longer filled with dread, as Wrexham have picked up a host of victories away from home.
Wrexham beat Exeter City 2-0 on Saturday but couldn’t repeat the trick against Cambridge United.
Liam Bennett canceled out George Dobson’s first league goal for Wrexham before Josh Stokes fired Cambridge in front from the spot.
Phil Parkinson raged at Cambridge’s penalty, but he at least saw his players respond to going behind.
Former Cambridge striker Sam Smith hauled Wrexham level, but there was to be no winner as Parkinson’s side dropped two points on the road.
Phil Parkinson hails Wrexham’s Ryan Longman and Sam Smith
Shrewsbury Town did Wrexham a favour by drawing at Wycombe Wanderers, meaning Wrexham still lead the Chairboys by three points.
Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both won, though, cutting the gap to Wrexham.
Parkinson will be frustrated at only landing a draw, but he did see a moment of real quality from two January signings.
Ryan Longman’s cross was expertly headed home by Smith, hauling Wrexham level to secure a point.
Parkinson loved that moment, telling BBC Sport that Longman’s cross was ‘brilliant’ and Smith’s finish was ‘fantastic’.
Parkinson praised the all-round Wrexham performance, believing that there were chances to win the game that just weren’t taken.
“We came here looking for three points. I thought the performance level was very good. Obviously, a couple of big decisions have gone against us,” said Parkinson.
“But I asked the lads for performances and for 80% of the game I thought we played well, controlled even at 2-1 down, got back in the game, and we’ve had a couple of great chances to win it.
“I was pleased with the composure we showed after the penalty decision to get back in the game, and a brilliant cross by Longy (Longman) and a fantastic finish (by Smith). And we had other chances, bits of good defending from them, but there were chances we probably should have taken. But all in all, the performance was good,” he added.
Ryan Longman and Sam Smith are justifying January deals
Longman joined Wrexham from Hull City in January, whilst Smith completed a club-record move from Reading.
Oxford United wanted Longman and Smith received European interest before the duo signed for Wrexham.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds invested considerable money on Longman and Smith, and moments like the goal on Tuesday night sum up just why both players were signed.
Longman is justifying his place in the Wrexham side right now, replacing Ryan Barnett as the right wing back.
Barnett was Wrexham’s star man earlier in the season, but it’s Longman who has the spot on the right flank and isn’t letting it go.
Smith was always going to be Wrexham’s main striker after his seven-figure move, but seeing him score goals will be a relief for all at Wrexham, given the money spent on him.
Tuesday’s beautifully-angled header showed off Smith’s quality in the box, and we are sure that there are more goals to come in this promotion race.