Wrexham dropped points at home to Harrogate tonight as midfielder James McClean was shown his 10th yellow card of the season.
Wrexham were looking to make it three wins on the spin in League Two as they hosted play-off chasers Harrogate at the STōK Cae Ras.
The visitors arrived in Wales boasting the second-strongest record in the division with only Mansfield Town (33) collecting more points on their travels.
Phil Parkinson’s men soon discovered why The Sulphurites are so difficult to beat as they struggled to break through such a well-organised and solid 3-4-1-2 system.
Despite dominating 62% of the ball and registering 17 shots on goal to Harrogate’s three, Wrexham couldn’t find the breakthrough and had to settle for just a point.
Ultimately, it wasn’t the most damaging result for the hosts as promotion rivals MK Dons and Mansfield Town both lost, but what did damage them was losing James McClean to suspension for two matches.
James McClean receives 10th yellow card of the season
McClean knew before the game that he was one yellow card away from suspension and only had to get through this match for the rule to reset.
If a player receives his 10th yellow card before the cut-off point (37 games), they would receive a two-game ban, and that is exactly what happened to the 34-year-old tonight.
In the 73rd minute of the match, McClean needlessly pulled down Levi Sutton in the heat of the moment and saw his name taken in the referees’ book.
Sadly, this moment of petulance from the Republic of Ireland star means he will miss Wrexham’s next two matches against Tranmere and Grimsby Town.
McClean’s suspension is a huge blow
Parkinson’s masterstroke to move McClean into midfield has been one of the most successful decisions he’s made this season.
Although the former Sunderland winger flourished as a left wing-back, registering five assists, his move into midfield has unlocked his creativity further forward.
Including the draw against Harrogate tonight, McClean has scored twice and assisted twice in six matches as a midfielder.
He’s slotted into a central position like a glove and conjured up all his experience and technical qualities to become a crucial cog in the Reds engine room.
Alongside the industrious Andy Cannon and goalscoring midfielder Elliot Lee, McClean has added class centrally.
It is no coincidence that Wrexham have seen a huge upturn in results since Parkinson made this switch and he has certainly given the manager a decision to make for their next two matches.