Wrexham were dealt a late blow as Cambridge United snatched a 2-2 draw at the STōK Cae Ras on Saturday afternoon.
Phil Parkinson’s home record at Wrexham is incredible and he was cooking for another win on Saturday afternoon.
Wrexham just weren’t quite at it on Saturday and Parkinson will have been left frustrated with a below-par display.
Steven Fletcher’s second-half goal put Wrexham 2-1 up and appeared to have secured yet another home win.
There was a late sting for Wrexham though as Lewis Brunt’s foul on Sullay Kaikai handed Cambridge a late penalty.
Dan Nlundulu stepped up to score, handing Cambridge a share of the spoils in a frustrating 2-2 draw.
Phil Parkinson praises Wrexham star
This was a disappointing afternoon for Wrexham with points dropped at home for just the second time in League One this season.
Ryan Reynolds and Channing Tatum watched on in the hope of a Wrexham win but were left disappointed.
Parkinson will try to take positives out of the game and the performance of Ollie Rathbone fits the bill.
Rathbone again started in midfield and had one brilliant moment to help put Wrexham in front.
Rathbone rapidly closed down Cambridge defender Kell Watts to snatch the ball before teeing up Fletcher to score.
Wrexham fans raved about Rathbone for his energy and pressing and Andy Morrell suggested that Rathbone’s energy is ‘infectious’.
Parkinson has now joined in with the praise for Rathbone whilst speaking on Wrexham Match Day Live.
“It’s a brilliant bit of closing down from Ollie Rathbone, absolutely,” said Parkinson.
“I thought he was outstanding today, I really did. His heart and his running and his drive to try and win the game was typified in that big of closing down,” he added.
More Parkinson praise for Ollie Rathbone and Matty James
Parkinson wasn’t done there though as he then spoke to Wrexham’s official YouTube channel about Rathbone.
The Wrexham boss looked to take positives from Saturday’s draw and highlighted the performance of experienced midfielder Matty James.
Parkinson suggested that James was ‘really good’ for Wrexham before adding even more praise for Rathbone.
Parkinson hailed Rathbone as ‘immense’, picking him as the shining light in Wrexham’s disappointing draw.
“I thought Matty James was really good for us and Ollie Rathbone, I thought he was immense,” said Parkinson.
Rathbone is now one of the first names on the teamsheet for Wrexham as he continues to make a huge impact in his first season at the STōK Cae Ras.