Wrexham faced Stockport in a huge encounter at the Racecourse Ground as the two clubs renewed their rivalry in a pivotal promotion clash.
Wrexham’s 1-0 win at Wycombe meant that Phil Parkinson named an unchanged side and there was still no place for Paul Mullin in the matchday squad.
After an appeal for a foul on Sam Smith was waved away in the first half, not long after Wrexham were awarded a spot kick for a handball and Jay Rodriguez converted on the rebound for his first goal for the Red Dragons.
In a nervy second half, Stockport defender Brad Hills made Wrexham’s task easier when he was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Ollie Rathbone and Parkinson’s side saw out another 1-0 win.
Wrexham secured another crucial three points in their League One promotion push, here are the winners and losers from the clash with Stockport.
Winners from Wrexham’s clash with Stockport
Jay Rodriguez
Rodriguez began the game looking more lively than in recent weeks and after combining well with strike partner Smith on a few occasions, he finally got his first goal in a Wrexham shirt.
Smith looked like he was taking the penalty before handing the ball to Rodriguez, his initial penalty was saved by goalkeeper Corey Addai but the 35-year-old was quick to the rebound.
His effort went through the legs of the keeper and you could see the relief on his face to finally break his Wrexham duck and now hopefully can kick on in his time in North Wales.
Matty James
At the turn of the year, there were a lot of calls for James to be dropped from Parkinson’s midfield and how his stunted the side’s creativity.
Whilst the fluidity and invention may be reduced with him in the side, his experience and leadership has been a major factor in Wrexham’s phenomenal run of form.
He was outstanding in the middle of the park against Stockport, made crucial intervention after crucial intervention and was then composed and commanding in possession. Magnificent display.
Arthur Okonkwo
The sign of a good goalkeeper is the ability to keep concentrating and produce when needed for your side, even if the game has been quiet.
Whilst it was a far from comfortable afternoon for Wrexham, the visitors didn’t threaten their goal often but Okonkwo produced an outstanding save from a header early in the second half.
Wrexham didn’t deal with a corner into the area and a solid header looked destined to find the net before Okonkwo acrobatically produced a finger-tip save to preserve yet another clean sheet for his side.
Losers from Wrexham’s clash with Stockport
James McClean
McClean was involved in the incident that led to Wrexham’s penalty as his header cannoned off the flailing arm of the Stockport defender.
However, McClean was caught out defensively on a number of occasions and was lucky not to be punished whilst perhaps being fortunate to stay on the pitch after a series of fouls following a yellow card.
There was little to nothing offered going forward from the Red Dragons skipper and with Sebastian Revan and Ryan Barnett sitting on the bench, wing-back may be an area that Parkinson considers freshening up.
Ryan Longman
Wing-back is such a difficult position to play in football and especially in a more defensive-minded approach such as Parkinson’s one.
However, after a really bright start in the opening ten minutes, Longman disappeared in the match when it looked like he had the beating of his full back.
There was no complaints with his work rate but you get the feeling that Longman is playing a little within himself after producing some excellent displays earlier in the campaign against Bolton in particular.