Jay Rodriguez scored first Wrexham goal in big win

PHIL PARKINSON says Jay Rodriguez’s first goal for the club was thoroughly deserved after the striker scored the winner as Wrexham beat Stockport County 1-0 at The Racecourse to move up to second place in League One.

The Reds secured a hard-fought victory in the race for promotion with Rodriguez opening his account for the club in his 10th league game since making the switch from Burnley during the January transfer window.

Wrexham were awarded a controversial penalty by referee Simon Mather – eventually given for handball against Ibou Touray after a lengthy discussion with an assistant – and Rodriguez found the back of the net with a follow-up after his spot-kick was saved.

Success leaves Wrexham three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers who have a game in hand in the quest for a top-two finish, and Parkinson praised Rodriguez.

“Jay’s worked tirelessly for the team, with the ball and out of possession, and he deserved that moment,” said the Reds’ boss.

“He’s a great character to have around but all strikers want to score.

“We’ve just been speaking to him about making sure he keeps contributing so we win games of football and we have been doing that.

“But that moment is key for him and the lads are obviously delighted for him because he deserved it.”

Stockport finished the game with 10-men after centre-back Brad Hills was sent off in the 80th minute and Parkinson was delighted with the battling spirit shown by the Reds, who have eight matches left, to secure another vital win.

“It was always going to be a feisty affair,” said Parkinson.

“There was an edge to the game and first half, we probably gave away too many free kicks and it boiled over a little bit but we stuck to the task.

“We got the goal at an important time and should have had a penalty before that.

“The lad pulled Sam Smith down and we were still moaning about that one, and then the handball incident, so I think we deserved that, and I was delighted for Jay to get his goal.

“In terms of spirit, togetherness, grit and determination required to win games at this stage of the season, it was all out there for us.

“When they went down to 10 men, could we have got hold of the ball more and controlled it? Yes we could.

“But there’s a lot of tension in the air, and you could sense it. We were third, they were fifth, local rivals, a club we’ve been competing with for the last few years, and I’m  delighted with the way the lads stuck to their test.

“We’ve restricted a good side to practically nothing and had the best chance of extending the lead with a brilliant cross from Ryan Longman and Ollie Rathbone’s header – if that goes in, it’s game over.”

Wrexham have Wycombe as biggest threat in promotion push

WREXHAM secured a massive win against Stockport County and it now looks like a two-horse race in the battle for the second automatic promotion spot in League One.

It was a hard-fought 1-0 victory at The Racecourse to move the Reds up to second in the table, three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers who dropped to third spot.

Wycombe have a game in hand but the pressure is now back on the Chairboys in the quest for a top-two finish.

Phil Parkinson insists other teams are still in the running to go straight up to the Championship along with runaway leaders Birmingham City but Wrexham and the Chairboys are the clear frontrunners following a big day in the battle for promotion.

Stockport remain fifth following defeat but they are now nine points behind Wrexham while fourth placed Charlton Athletic also lost ground following a 3-0 defeat at Peterborough United, leaving the Addicks eight points adrift of the Reds.