Wrexham travelled to Crawley Town knowing that three points were a must to keep pace with the automatic promotion spots.
Phil Parkinson handed debuts to new signings Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez, whilst Arthur Okonkwo was left out of the side and Eoghan O’Connell returned in defence.
Wrexham had the perfect start to the game when Matty James finished off a great move to fire the Red Dragons in front inside two minutes.
Wrexham defended well and were set to see out the game before a stunner from Crawley’s Bradley Ibrahim seemed to have rescued a point for the hosts.
However, a superb cross from Ryan Longman was headed home by Elliot Lee with the last kick of the game to ensure bedlam amongst the away fans and huge three points.
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Wrexham player ratings vs Crawley Town
With much excitement pre-match from the Wrexham fans ahead of the new attacking duo being given the chance to show what they can do, here’s how the Wrexham players rated in the clash with Crawley Town.
Mark Howard- 6.5
Had a solid performance on his return to the side. Claimed a few crosses throughout the game and held on to a stinging shot from Crawley’s Bradley Ibrahim.
Had no chance with the equaliser from Ibrahim, an outstanding strike from 30 yards that flew into the top corner.
Max Cleworth- 7
Typical Max Cleworth performance, calm on the ball and did his defensive work with efficiency and authority.
Lewis Brunt- 9
Excellent return to the side following an injury lay off. Brunt was strong in the tackle and commanding in the air. Made a bursting run in the first half before his pass was just a little overhit trying to find Smith in front of goal.
The amount of times he was there to block shots and sniff out danger was remarkable and Parkinson now needs to give him a run of games in the side.
Eoghan O’Connell- 8.5
An excellent return upon his return to the side following a bad evening at Shrewsbury Town. There would have been nerves before the game from O’Connell but he stood up to the task well with some excellent defending.
Ryan Barnett- 7
Looked a real threat as always down the right flank, providing a number of quality crosses. Struck up an instant relationship with Sam Smith and that could prove to be a fruitful partnership for Wrexham between now and the end of the season.
James McClean- 5
Quiet afternoon for the Wrexham skipper, didn’t see much of the ball on the left hand side and was caught out positionally on a few occasions. Parkinson could consider resting McClean in the coming matches and using Ryan Longman in order to rotate the veteran captain.
Matty James- 8.5
Excellent finish to set Wrexham on their way as he coolly slotted home from Rathbone’s pass. James silenced any critics with a brilliant performance in the middle of the park.
Comfortable in possession and battled for every second ball, Wrexham missed his experience in trying to see out the game when he went off.
George Dobson- 7
Tenacious in the tackle and full of energy once again at the heart of the Red Dragons midfield. Quietly went about his usual business of breaking up play and was vital in the midfield battle.
Ollie Rathbone- 7.5
Made penetrating runs from deep and provided a wonderful assist for Matty James to open the scoring. Rathbone almost provided Rodriguez his first Wrexham goal with a cushioned volley into the path of the striker but his effort was blocked by the keeper.
Jay Rodriguez- 6.5
Could have scored with only his second touch in a Wrexham shirt after a flowing move. Showed his worth defensively as well with a number of set-piece interventions.
Sam Smith- 6.5
Showed from the first minute exactly what he will bring to the side with his movement, energy and quality final product. Became a little isolated in the second half but Wrexham fans will be more than happy with their new signing’s debut
Substitutes
Steven Fletcher- 5
Came on for Rodriguez with his usual 20 minutes to go. Isolated as Crawley piled on the pressure and could have snatched a winner with a late header
Jack Marriott- 5
Came on for debutant Smith with 15 minutes remaining and played off of Fletcher. Worked hard and pressed the backline but didn’t get the ball much.
Ryan Longman- 7
Replaced Barnett with 15 minutes to go and took up a position high and wide on the right hand side. Looked full of energy and did his defensive responsibilities well before producing a moment of magic with the cross for Lee.
Elliot Lee- 7
Replaced James in the final minutes to try and see out the game, ultimately proved to be the hero with a late winner, arriving late in the box.