Wrexham two points ahead of Wycombe with two games left

Leader Live

21-04-2025

Phil Parkinson's side picked up a thoroughly deserved 2-1 win against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road and reclaimed an automatic promotion spot after Wycombe Wanderers lost 4-0 at home to Charlton Athletic.
The Reds are now two points ahead of the third placed Chairboys with two games remaining in the quest for an historic third promotion in a row.
Charlton, who visit The Racecourse on Saturday, are four points adrift of Wrexham in fourth with Stockport County, who sit fifth, a further point adrift of the Reds.
It is advantage Wrexham once again with the Reds in the driving seat for a top-two finish, although there is still work to be done in the bid to go straight up to the Championship with title winners Birmingham City.
Parkinson made three changes from the side that started Friday's 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers.
Eoghan O'Connell, who went off injured in the stalemate, underwent a fitness test ahead of kick-off and was named on the substitutes bench, with Dan Scarr coming into the team.
Wing-back James McClean returned in place of Ryan Barnett while George Dobson was preferred to Elliot Lee in midfield.
Wrexham made a bright start and were on the front foot with Ryan Longman and Ollie Rathbone having shots blocked.
Another Rathbone effort was gathered at the second attempt by goalkeeper Harry Tyrer while the Reds came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half.
James McClean raced into the area after taking Sam Smith's neat flick but the wing-back was denied by a brilliant save from Tyrer.
The Blackpool keeper was again called into action to thwart Jay Rodriguez after being set-up by Dobson who then brought another save out of Tyrer.
Arthur Okonkwo did well to tip Rob Apter's fierce drive over the bar at the other end and it remained goalless at the break.
Wrexham went straight on the attack at the start of the second half and McClean headed over from Longman's cross.
However, the Reds went 1-0 up in the 61st minute.
Dobson picked out McClean with a brilliant cross-field pass and the Reds' captain's low drive went through a crowd of players and found the bottom corner.
It got even better for Wrexham who doubled their lead three minutes later.
Rodriguez laid off to Rathbone who fired home from inside the area.
Wrexham continued to press and Matty James was denied by Tyrer while Rathbone fired over the bar.
Apter scored in the fifth minute of injury time to pull a goal back for Blackpool but Wrexham weren't to be denied a huge win.
Blackpool (4-4-2): Tyrer; Offiah (Gabriel 81), Casey, Baggott, Coulson (Bloxham 67); Apter, Evans, Morgan, Silvera (Hamilton 67); Ennis, Fletcher (Beesley 81). Subs not used: O'Donnell, Husband, Pennington.
Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo; Cleworth, Scarr, Brunt; Longman, Dobson, James, Rathbone )O'Connor 90), McClean; Smith (Marriott 87), Rodriguez (Fletcher 74). Subs not used: Burton, O'Connell, Barnett, Lee.
Attendance: 12,266.