Wrexham secured a massive win in their season by beating title rivals Mansfield and Phil Parkinson was left impressed by the work of one individual.
A 2-0 victory over Mansfield on Good Friday saw Wrexham move level on points with Nigel Clough’s men, further teeing up what looks like a thrilling race for the line over the final month.
Just one point now separates the top three in League Two, Stockport County leapfrogging Mansfield to reclaim top spot with a 3-0 victory over Forest Green.
With their promotion rivals all winning, the battle for promotion out of League Two looks like it will be decided by the finest of margins, hence why Paul Mullin‘s double to move onto 99 goals in Wrexham colours could prove so significant in the final reckoning.
The 29-year-old took charge of proceedings in the final third, while Luke Bolton impressed at right wing-back and Phil Parkinson outsmarted his opposite number tactically.
Phil Parkinson praises Wrexham star Tom O’Connor
Following his return from injury, Tom O’Connor started for the second game running in midfield, despite James McClean returning from suspension, who slotted in at left wing-back.
The 24-year-old has picked up where he left off before his injury, assisting in the win over Grimsby Town and dominating centrally against Mansfield.
Without a natural defensive midfielder in the starting XI, O’Connor did a wonderful job of shielding the defence and recycling possession.
Not only did he win four ground duels and three tackles, but he also executed six accurate long balls and one key pass across the full ninety minutes.
Parkinson was understandably impressed with the Irishman’s performance, praising him for his calmness in midfield during a high-pressure match.
“Tommy was good today, I thought he gave us a nice calmness in the middle of the pitch which is so important,” said Parkinson on the Wrexham YouTube channel.
“In a game of this importance, Tom is just on a very level, playing all the time and he was excellent”.
Where does George Evans fit in?
George Evans played his first minutes in Wrexham colours since suffering an injury in the 2-1 win over Sutton last month, replacing Elliot Lee for the final two minutes.
Evans was a rock in the Reds midfield before his lengthy setback, operating as a holding midfielder next to Andy Cannon and Lee.
But with the form of O’Connor, the 29-year-old will struggle to get back into the side, especially with Cannon producing two goals and one assist in his last two outings.
A graduate of the Manchester City academy, Evans demonstrated earlier in the season that he possesses undoubted quality and with a congested fixture schedule in April, Parkinson won’t be afraid to start his midfield brute in place of Lee, Cannon or O’Connor.