Wrexham slipped to a home defeat on Tuesday night as Leyton Orient inflicted a 2-1 loss on Phil Parkinson’s side at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham were hoping to build on a 2-0 win at Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon.
That result brought up four wins in a row for Wrexham but the visit of an on-fire Leyton Orient side was always going to be tough.
Wrexham did take the lead through Ollie Rathbone but that is as good as the evening got for Phil Parkinson.
Charlie Kelman and Jamie Donley scored either side of the break, handing Orient a 2-1 win at the STōK Cae Ras.
That is two home league defeats in a row for Wrexham, compounded by Wycombe Wanderers beating Bristol Rovers to open up a five-point gap in the promotion race.
Wrexham star Ollie Rathbone hits new career milestone
There wasn’t much for Wrexham fans to shout about on Tuesday night.
The performance was flat and Wrexham fans have slammed Parkinson for his tactical approach against Orient.
Parkinson felt goalscorer Rathbone wasn’t involved enough in the second half, believing that Wrexham teammates should have got the ball to him more regularly.
Rathbone at least found the net again, taking his tally to three goals and two assists in his last seen League One appearances.
The 28-year-old is in great form right now and Tuesday’s goal actually saw him hit a new personal milestone.
The goal takes Rathbone onto five league goals this season – a mark that he has previously never hit.
Rathbone’s previous high was four goals at Rochdale in the 2018-19 season and four for Rotherham United in the 2022-23 campaign.
Rathbone has been hailed as ‘immense’ by Parkinson but had never reached the five goal mark in a league campaign before last night – and there is a long way still to go.
More goals may well come for Rathbone with the midfielder emerging as one of Wrexham’s most consistent performers.
Ollie Rathbone’s hard work is paying off
This personal milestone will be a nice boost for Rathbone and he will be desperate to keep finding the net and blow past his previous goalscoring record.
Rathbone has noted his goalscoring improvement and his hard work in front of goal is now really paying dividends.
“It was something I really wanted to add to my game,” said Rathbone.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to improve because I knew I had it in me. I’ve probably just put more emphasis on it and I’ve really tried working on it in training so my confidence is up.
“I think the competition for places makes it hugely important – all the other midfielders are chipping in with goals so it’s important I keep doing that.
“I’m really glad to be contributing goals and assists and helping the team ultimately,” he added.
Rathbone just can’t stop scoring right now and whilst Rotherham United didn’t see the best of his attacking quality, Wrexham are seeing him thrive.
Long may that continue – especially with Elliott Lee out recovering after his recent road traffic accident.