Wrexham got the job done on Tuesday night, producing a thrilling late show to beat Barnsley 1-0 at the STōK Cae Ras.
After home wins against Exeter City and Lincoln City, Wrexham were ready to go again on Tuesday night.
Wrexham’s home form has been superb under Phil Parkinson and other win has been added to his record.
Barnsley battled well and came so close to claiming a point before Ollie Rathbone popped up with the winner.
Rathbone fired a left-footed strike into the net in injury time, handing Wrexham all three points in the process.
Wrexham fans inside the STōK Cae Ras went wild whilst Rob McElhenney and Danny DeVito celebrated together in Los Angeles.
Phil Parkinson hails Wrexham striker’s impact
Wrexham had Rathbone to thank for a moment of real quality as the seconds ticked down, securing a third straight win in the process.
Other players made a big impact too though and Wrexham fans loved Paul Mullin’s cameo off the bench, feeling that he looked sharp as a substitute.
Parkinson directed real praise towards other striker though with Steven Fletcher catching his eye.
Fletcher made his return from injury off the bench and actually went close to scoring before Rathbone’s winner.
Speaking to The Leader, Parkinson has admitted that he feels Fletcher’s return is a ‘big bonus’ for Wrexham.
Parkinson added that Fletcher hasn’t trained much but showed ‘real quality’ to help Wrexham grab all three points against Barnsley.
“It was a big bonus for us,” said Parkinson.
“It was a tough call because I had to leave Tom O’Connor off the bench and obviously Jon Dadi Bodvarsson as well, but Fletch has done so well for us this season and other seasons in those situations. Just having a player of that quality to hold the ball up to get his body in when it matters most.
“He only trained two days but he still showed real quality and it’s hard to get that quality at the top end of the pitch. We have got to look after Fletch now with his knee, patch him up for the weekend and hopefully he’s got no reaction,” he added.
Steven Fletcher return bad news for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson
Fletcher has been out of action since October but is now back and seemingly ready to make an impact.
Parkinson has praised Fletcher as ‘almost unplayable’ in recent weeks, suggesting that he can be a game-changer off the bench.
That was clear on Tuesday night; Fletcher has barely trained but Parkinson couldn’t wait to get him back in the squad and back on the pitch.
This is hardly positive news for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson though with the Icelandic striker only on a contract until January.
Wrexham want a new striker in January as support for the likes of Fletcher, Mullin, Ollie Palmer and Modou Faal.
Bodvarsson figures to be the odd man out in that equation given that his contract will soon run out and his absence from Tuesday’s squad may be the first step towards his eventual departure next month.