Wrexham claimed another huge victory in the race for promotion to the Championship, beating Exeter City on Saturday.
The League One promotion race continues, and Wrexham remain in a strong position.
Wrexham locked horns with Exeter City on Saturday afternoon as Phil Parkinson took his side on a long journey to Devon.
This ended up being a fairly comfortable victory for Wrexham, though, as Parkinson oversaw a 2-0 win at St James Park.
Ollie Rathbone’s ball into the box was diverted home by Ed Turns to hand Wrexham a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Jay Rodriguez picked himself up to score number two, firing home from the penalty spot having been fouled.
Phil Parkinson on Jay Rodriguez
Rodriguez’s goal secured the win for Wrexham, his second goal in as many games.
Wrexham signed Rodriguez from Burnley in January, but the veteran striker struggled to find the net.
Rodriguez was praised by Paul Merson for his first Wrexham goal last week, reacting quickly to score after his penalty against Stockport County had been saved.
This time, there was no need for a rebound as Rodriguez’s penalty found the net and secured a 2-0 victory.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Parkinson admitted that there was ‘no hesitation’ when Rodriguez stepped up from the spot again.
Parkinson had no fear that Rodriguez would see his penalty saved again, like last week, and backed him to score given that he has played ‘at the top level’.
Parkinson added that he watched penalties being taken in training on Friday, and Rodriguez’s confidence really caught his eye.
“There was no hesitation from me. He’s an experienced player who’s been at the top level. It was great for him to get his goal last week,” said Parkinson.
“There was a few taking penalties in training on Friday and I watched them closely. He was very confident and I was confident in him stepping up today,” he added.
Phil Parkinson fired half-time warning to Wrexham
Wrexham went into the break 1-0 up before Rodriguez found the second goal from the spot on 60 minutes.
Rodriguez impressed Wrexham fans with his goal, and he seemed to settle the nerves a little for Parkinson.
Parkinson added to BBC Sport that he warned his players at half-time about how Exeter would not only have the wind with them in the second half, but would also be attacking their own fans.
Wrexham had to stand strong in that scenario and Parkinson was delighted with how his players continued to take the game to Exeter.
“We did speak about it at half-time; Exeter would have the wind with them, attacking that noisy terrace,” said Parkinson.
“But we didn’t sit back, we took the game to them with some really good play – and a second goal makes it more comfortable on the touchline and for our supporters,” he added.
Wrexham remain three points clear in second place, but Wycombe Wanderers have a game in hand.
Wrexham are back in action on Tuesday night, travelling to take on Cambridge United in another huge clash in the race for promotion.