Wrexham have taken a giant step towards the Championship after beating Burton Albion 3-0 at the STōK Cae Ras on Saturday afternoon.
This could prove to be the pivotal weekend in the League One promotion race.
Wrexham got the job done against 10-man Burton Albion, beating the Brewers 3-0 thanks to three second-half goals.
Sam Smith sparked Wrexham’s victory, winning a penalty through sheer determination for Steven Fletcher to score, before Smith found the net himself with substitute Jack Marriott making it 3-0.
Wrexham were left frustrated for 70 minutes as Burton dug in with 10 men, but the victory leaves Phil Parkinson closing in on the Championship.
Wycombe Wanderers are Wrexham’s biggest rivals for second place, but they were beaten at Reading on Saturday to open up a six-point gap.
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Phil Parkinson on George Dobson injury
Wycombe have a game in hand on Wrexham, but their trip to Huddersfield Town in midweek will not be easy.
The race for second place is now in Wrexham’s hands, and we may look back at this weekend as being the key moment.
Wrexham did suffer a blow on Saturday, though, as George Dobson picked up a nasty blow in the challenge which saw Charlie Webster receive his marching orders.
Dobson was substituted in favour of Elliot Lee after the break, with Parkinson offering an update on his situation after the final whistle.
Speaking on Wrexham Matchday Live, Parkinson noted that Dobson suffered a ‘gash on his shin’ from Webster’s challenge, and he could have played in the second half by having stitches at the break.
Wrexham decided not to risk Dobson, though, and Parkinson is hoping that he will be back to face Wigan Athletic next weekend.
“Dobbo, obviously in the sending-off incident, has got a cut on his shin,” said Parkinson.
“George has got a gash on his shin; he probably could have carried on with some stitches at half time, but we made our mind up to make the changes.
“We’ll get him right, hopefully for next week,” he added.
Phil Parkinson won’t take chances on George Dobson
Dobson may well have been able to play on, but Parkinson had the luxury of being able to take him off and bring on a quality player like Lee.
That just goes to show the strength of the Wrexham squad, and Dobson’s recovery will hopefully be aided by being taken off on Saturday.
If Dobson isn’t fully ready to go against Wigan, Parkinson will not feel pressured into rushing him back.
Lee would surely go into the starting XI, whilst George Evans is another option in the Wrexham engine room.
Wrexham are looking to get promotion secured, and every point is vital, but Parkinson has options at his disposal and won’t be afraid to use them.