Wrexham produced a huge result on Saturday afternoon, beating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 thanks to Sam Smith’s winner.
Wrexham were beaten at Reading in midweek with Phil Parkinson witnessing a disappointing 2-0 defeat on the road.
That was not the ideal preparation ahead of a huge trip to Wycombe Wanderers as Wrexham travelled to face the Chairboys.
The two sides went into the game level on points in the race for automatic promotion and Wrexham really needed a response after losing at Reading.
This was a predictably tight affair but Wrexham secured all three points as Sam Smith struck a brilliant volley into the back of the net.
Wrexham held on for the three points and leapfrog Wycombe into second place, providing a welcome boost to the promotion hopes.
Phil Parkinson on Sam Smith performance
All thoughts right now are well away from the promotion race after one fan suffered a medical emergency inside the stadium.
The game was halted as the supporter received care and we can only send best wishes to the affected fan.
When the game resumed, Wrexham took the opportunity to grab a 1-0 win as Smith volleyed home a brilliant strike.
Wrexham paid big money for Smith in January, shattering the club’s record in the process.
This was certainly Smith’s finest moment yet, sending Wrexham fans behind the goal wild with an inch-perfect volley.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has now moved to praise Smith whilst speaking to BBC Sport following Saturday;s win.
Parkinson suggested that Smith was a ‘real threat’ and particularly ramped up his performance in the second half.
Parkinson added that Smith was unlucky not to score before he actually did find the net, hailing for taking his goal ‘brilliantly’.
“I thought he was a real threat, particularly in the second half,” said Parkinson.
“He hit the post, really unlucky, could have had a penalty, but then he took his goal brilliantly, that’s a real goal scorer’s goal,” he added.
Smith steps up as Paul Mullin questions linger
Any club-record signing is going to be under pressure to deliver.
Smith’s fee was more than double Wrexham’s previous transfer record though, presenting major pressure.
The first seven-figure signing of the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era, Smith really had to hit the ground running.
Smith may have been mocked by Amadou Mbengue after Wrexham’s defeat at Reading but three goals in nine League One games.
That is a decent start for Smith, who also has the pressure of being in the Wrexham starting XI whilst fan favourite Paul Mullin remains out in the cold.
Mullin was again left out of the Wrexham squad against Wycombe with fans left questioning just why he hasn’t played a single minute of League One action since the end of January.
Mullin has played down some fan theories over his exile and it’s unclear just when – or if – we will see him in a Wrexham shirt again.
Smith can’t attempt to be the new Mullin, just be the best version of himself – and Saturday’s goal suggests that will be more than good enough.