Wrexham secured a big win on Saturday afternoon as Phil Parkinson saw his side beat Stockport County 1-0 at the STōK Cae Ras.
The March international break means the final stretch of the season is really upon us.
A number of League One clubs weren’t in action due to international call-ups, including Wycombe Wanderers.
That handed Wrexham a chance to leapfrog the Chairboys though, and Phil Parkinson’s side seized that opportunity.
Wrexham beat Stockport County 1-0 at the STōK Cae Ras with Jay Rodriguez scoring the only goal, firing home on the rebound after his first-half penalty was saved.
Stockport were fuming with the Wrexham penalty but Rodriguez earned praise from Paul Merson for finding the net on the rebound.
Phil Parkinson on Wrexham striker Sam Smith
Parkinson praised Rodriguez as he grabbed his first Wrexham goal, but he wasn’t alone in the final third.
Fellow January signing Sam Smith partnered Rodriguez in attack once again as Parkinson went with his preferred strike pairing once again.
Smith scored the winner in Wrexham’s last two victories, 1-0 wins over Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United.
There were no goals for Smith this time around, but his performance has been praised by Parkinson.
Speaking on Wrexham Matchday Live, Parkinson heaped praise on Smith for a ‘tireless’ performance in the final third.
Parkinson suggested that Smith was simply relentless as he ‘never stopped’ for the team, continuing to give defenders headaches.
Parkinson added that Smith has ‘great intelligence’ just like Rodriguez, praising his work both in and out of possession.
“Tireless work for the team from Sam again,” said Parkinson.
“He just never stopped, he backed into people and, like Jay, he’s got great intelligence with and without the ball,” he added.
Sam Smith penalty questions continue
Smith is making an impact for Wrexham but confusion surrounds how he is being refereed inside the penalty area.
Saturday was another prime example of how Smith just doesn’t seem to be getting the decisions from referees.
Smith was clearly pulled back inside the Stockport area and should have been given a penalty.
This is becoming a common theme and there have been suggestions that Smith has a reputation for going down too easily.
Reading fans seemingly had a running joke about how Smith would never receive a penalty despite seemingly being fouled on a regular basis.
That now appears to be following him to Wrexham and whilst Parkinson loves his performances, he will hope to see those spot-kicks awarded in the future.