Mullin brace earns Wrexham key win over Mansfield
Last updated on 29 March 2024.From the section League Two
Wrexham beat promotion rivals Mansfield Town to move within a point of top spot in League Two.
Paul Mullin swept Andy Cannon's cross beyond Christy Pym in the 32nd minute.
Aaron Lewis and James Gale came the closest to equalising for Mansfield - who saw Davis Keillor-Dunn have a goal disallowed for a foul on Arthur Okonkwo.
But Mullin rifled home from the penalty spot on 67 minutes to seal victory after Jordan Bowery fouled Luke Bolton.
Mullin's brace - which took the striker's goal tally to 20 for the season - lifts Phil Parkinson's side level with second-placed Mansfield on 73 points.
Stockport County lead the way on 74 points following a 3-0 triumph at Forest Green Rovers.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney increase Wrexham investment as turnover and losses riseWrexham boss Phil Parkinson:
"It was a hard-earned win, a gritty and determined performance. We restricted a very good Mansfield team to very little.
"All in all, the team work ethic today was outstanding. We had to dig deep in terms of concentraion levels as well as the physicality.
"We didn't get too down when we lost to Tranmere and we're not going to get too high after today. Now it's about preparation for what will be a terrific game at Doncaster on Tuesday."
Formation 5-3-2
33Okonkwo17BoltonSubstituted forBarnettat 74'minutes32Cleworth15O'Connell25Boyle23McCleanBooked at 3mins20Cannon22O'Connor38LeeSubstituted forEvansat 88'minutes9PalmerSubstituted forFletcherat 74'minutes10MullinSubstituted forMarriottat 88'minutesSubstitutes3McFadzean11Marriott12Evans18Dalby21Howard26Fletcher29BarnettFormation 4-3-1-2
1Pym4HewittSubstituted forMcLaughlinat 8'minutes14Flint24BruntSubstituted forGaleat 45'minutes9Bowery8O ClarkeBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMarisat 68'minutes25ReedBooked at 69mins40Keillor-DunnSubstituted forBoatengat 68'minutes15LewisBooked at 71mins26SwanSubstituted forNicholsat 45'minutes7AkinsSubstitutes3McLaughlin10Maris12Gale13Flinders16Quinn20Nichols44BoatengReferee:Lewis Smith
Attendance:12,494
Match ends, Wrexham 2, Mansfield Town 0.
Second Half ends, Wrexham 2, Mansfield Town 0.
Corner, Wrexham. Conceded by Aden Flint.
Tom Nichols (Mansfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Eoghan O'Connell (Wrexham).
Substitution, Wrexham. George Evans replaces Elliot Lee.
Substitution, Wrexham. Jack Marriott replaces Paul Mullin.
Foul by Tom Nichols (Mansfield Town).
Andrew Cannon (Wrexham) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Aaron Lewis (Mansfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Steven Fletcher (Wrexham).
George Maris (Mansfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Max Cleworth (Wrexham).
Attempt missed. Steven Fletcher (Wrexham) left footed shot from very close range misses to the right. Assisted by Elliot Lee.
Substitution, Wrexham. Ryan Barnett replaces Luke Bolton.
Substitution, Wrexham. Steven Fletcher replaces Ollie Palmer.
Hiram Boateng (Mansfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Elliot Lee (Wrexham).
Aaron Lewis (Mansfield Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Aaron Lewis (Mansfield Town).
