Wrexham picked up a huge win in the League One promotion race, beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 thanks to Steven Fletcher’s winner.
Wrexham drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon and were looking for a victory on the road.
Phil Parkinson took his side to face Huddersfield Town in what looked like being a tough game.
This wasn’t a classic by any stretch of the imagination and Wrexham’s winner came in suitably scrappy fashion.
Sam Smith’s effort was saved and with a goalmouth scramble ensuing, Steven Fletcher forced the ball over the line.
Huddersfield players appealed for offside and a foul in the build-up, but the goal was given with Wrexham holding out to seal a 1-0 victory.
Wrexham fans on Steven Fletcher
Parkinson decided to start with Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in attack once again.
The two January signings have yet to really click in the Wrexham side and they unfortunately went goalless against Huddersfield.
Parkinson called for Fletcher from the bench and the Scot scored yet another winning goal as a substitute.
The 37-year-old won’t mark that goal down as one of his finest but it handed Wrexham the win – and that’s all that matters in this promotion race.
Wrexham fans have now taken to social media to praise Fletcher after his latest match-winning display.
‘Tremendous! Twilight of his career but how much quality he has everywhere, strength, nous, link play and goals. What a player!’ said one Wrexham fan on X.
‘There is nobody more clutch in fewer minutes than Steven Fletcher. No one.’ said another fan as he proved his late goalscoring credentials once more.
One fan suggested ‘That is why someone like Fletcher needs to start instead of Rodriguez, literally second after Fletch came on for him – he scores huge goal’.
Rodriguez has yet to shine for Wrexham and Fletcher showing his goalscoring class again will only increase the shots for him to start.
Phil Parkinson likely to keep Steven Fletcher on the bench
We can understand Wrexham fans asking for Fletcher to start when he is so prolific in his limited opportunities.
The Scot has made a real habit of scoring these match-winning goals but it’s all by design in Parkinson’s eyes.
Speaking earlier this season, Parkinson praised Fletcher’s brilliance as a substitute, suggesting that he was ‘unplayable’ off the bench.
That was proven right once again on Tuesday night but every goal in this role almost emboldens Parkinson’s stance; Fletcher is a great impact substitute who keeps scoring goals in that role.
Maybe Parkinson will change his mind soon, but we would imagine that Fletcher will remain on the bench against Rotherham United this weekend.