Wrexham

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Wrexham players do not need reminding of what's at stake during the final month of the League One season, says manager Phil Parkinson.

The Dragons are second in the table – an automatic promotion spot – and host Burton Albion at home after winning 2-0 at Exeter City last Saturday and drawing 2-2 at Cambridge United in midweek.

"I don't think we need to address what's at stake," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think everybody knows but it's all about the focus on what's required.

"Overall the four points from the two away games is a good return and it readdresses the balance we've had between away games and home games.

"Now we've six to go – three at home and three away left."

Burton's squad features three players who joined the club from Wrexham during the season – midfielder James Jones, wing-back Anthony Forde and forward Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.

Fleur Robinson returned to Burton as chief executive in the summer after working in the same role at the Stok Racecourse after being appointed by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"We welcome those lads – a couple of them have been injured – back to Wrexham and obviously Fleur as well," Parkinson added.

"I worked closely with Fleur for three years so it will be nice to see Fleur.

"But of course our focus is on our performance level and what we need to do."

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Former Wrexham striker and manager Andy Morrell feels Wrexham have a more favourable run-in than Wycombe Wanderers as the League One finish line comes into sight.

Both sides were held to draws on Tuesday night, with Wrexham's contest with Cambridge United finishing 2-2 while Wycombe's match with bottom side Shrewsbury Town ended goalless.

It leaves Phil Parkinson's side in second place in the third tier with six matches remaining this season. The Chairboys are third and three points behind Wrexham, although they do have a game in hand.

Wycombe play six top 10 sides across their final seven games, with their opponents having an average current league position of eighth compared to 14th for Wrexham's remaining opponents.

"It's as you were," Morrell told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Charlton and Stockport are still six and seven points behind, Shrewsbury did us a favour. Wycombe had potentially more than 35 shots in the game but couldn't score.

"We take an away point, four points from the last two long away trips and we're back at home on Saturday.

"It's another one chalked off, and you can see the finish line. Can we get over it?

"Our run is slightly easier than Wycombe's, but we've still got a couple of tricky ties in there.

"Blackpool and Burton, both of those are going really well at the moment. We've got Charlton who are chasing us down as well so I think it's going to go right down to the wire.

"It's just so tight and tense. It's the team that can keep their heads the most, bring the intensity when you need to and try to get over the line in each of those games like we have done all season."

George Dobson gave Wrexham an early lead at Cambridge, although Liam Bennett equalised for the hosts before Josh Stokes made it 2-1 from the penalty spot.

But Sam Smith netted his fourth goal since joining Wrexham from Reading in January to ensure the visitors claimed a point.

"It started really well, we scored after a few minutes and it look really comfortable for the first half an hour, but then Cambridge got back into the game and they had a really good go," added Morrell.

"We equalised and it was pretty much a slugfest until the end. It was actually a good game to watch and probably a draw was a fair result.

"I thought it was a penalty, but Phil Parkinson was not happy afterwards saying it was one of the worst decisions he's ever seen."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham remain well placed to challenge for a third successive promotion despite a minor setback at Cambridge United on Tuesday night.

The Red Dragons could only manage a 2-2 draw against the side that sit second from bottom in League One.

But after Wycombe Wanderers were held to a goalless draw by bottom side Shrewsbury Town on the same night, Wrexham stay second in the table - three points ahead of the Chairboys who have a game in hand.

And despite his frustration towards referee Thomas Parsons for his decision to award Cambridge a penalty early in the second half, Parkinson took comfort from Wrexham's league position.

"We're 40 games in and we're in second place so we're not doing too badly, are we?" he said.

"Performance level, the process for each game, like we speak about with the lads, keep concentrating on that and we won't be far away."

Midfielder George Dobson fired the visitors in front after just four minutes at the Abbey Stadium.

Liam Bennett equalised just before half time, with Josh Stokes' penalty shortly after the restart putting Neil Harris' side ahead.

But striker Sam Smith's header on 57 minutes ensured the points were shared.

On Dobson's strike, Parkinson said: "Brilliant finish, absolutely fantastic strike. A midfielder's finish, low and hard from the edge of the box."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham will have to "fight tooth and nail" to maintain their impressive away form at Cambridge United as they look to take another step towards automatic promotion.

Wrexham travel to Cledara Abbey Stadium on Tuesday (19.45 BST) with Cambridge second-bottom of League One and 11 points from safety.

But Parkinson says the Red Dragons will have to work hard for a win as they bid to extend their advantage over Wycombe, who are currently three points below them in third with a game in hand.

"Cambridge will still believe they can put a run together, and we've got to be ready to fight tooth and nail like we did at Exeter," said the Wrexham boss.

"Headers, tackles, defending our box well. All of those things give you a platform to win games. We did it brilliantly, and we've got to do it again on Tuesday night."

Saturday's victory at St James Park was Wrexham's seventh from their last eight games on the road.

It kept them second in League One ahead of the match with a Cambridge side managed by former Cardiff City boss Neil Harris.

The U's are winless in the last six games, though Parkinson will no doubt remind his team they did take points off Wrexham in a 2-2 draw at the Stok Racecourse in December.

"Neil Harris has gone back there [as head coach] and they've had a change of director of football so there will probably be a different feel to their team, but we'll make sure we have a good look at them," said Parkinson.

"Each game you take in its own entity. Exeter was a completely different game to Stockport - a different system to come up against, different style of play, different strengths and weaknesses.

"Our focus has to be on that. When we come away from the game, did we tick the boxes we speak about in training?

"The answer was yes at Exeter...so can we do it again on Tuesday?

"There's no let up. If you feel you can win a game at 75 per cent, you can come unstuck. Everyone's got to be focussed, prepared to run the hard yards and put bodies on the line around both boxes."

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Wrexham goalscorer Ollie Rathbone says they will not take their winning run – or their opponents – for granted as they look to close in on league One promotion.

Rathbone opened the scoring for Phil Parkinson's side as they sealed a 2-0 success at Exeter, Jay Rodriguez adding a second from the spot in the north Wales side's third win in a row and fifth in six games.

Wrexham have also on an impressive away run, with the victory at St James Park their seventh from their last eight games on the road.

Having stayed in second spot, they now face a midweek trip to relegation-threatened Cambridge United on Tuesday.

After drawing with Northampton, the U's are 11 points from safety with seven fixtures remaining, but Rathbone said: "We can't take any team for granted. In this division, if you're not at 100% and you're not closing down, anyone can look a good player.

"We will prepare for it as if we were playing a team second in the table or if it was a cup final , we'll prepare the same to try and win.

"It's the club's first season back in League One and a lot of people would have taken top half, so to be where we are it's all down to the hard work we've put in. We want to keep it going, keep focusing on every game and see where it takes us."

Rathbone, 28, scored his sixth goal of the campaign in the win, with manager Parkinson hoping the former Rotherham man will be credited with the strike despite a deflection off a Grecians defender.

It is his career-best return in a single season, and he said: "It's been a good run and something I've tried to improve on. I'm getting chances; today was a bit fortunate but I am still getting chances and I'm confident I'll get goals."

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Phil Parkinson said watching Jay Rodriguez in training proved why he was right to keep the former Burnley striker on penalty duty.

Rodriguez, 35, thumped home a 60th-minute spot-kick to wrap up Wrexham's 2-0 win at Exeter City, a result that kept them in the League One automatic promotion places.

It was Rodriguez's second goal since making the switch to north Wales in the January transfer window – and his second in as many games after breaking his duck in last week's win over Stockport County.

The Stockport goal also came following a Rodriguez spot-kick, but only after he saw his initial effort saved and struck on the rebound.

The once-capped England frontman called last weekend's missed penalty the worst of his career.

But he remained on spot-kick duties at St James Park after Parkinson kept a close eye on the veteran as they prepared for the Exeter trip.

The Wrexham boss said: "There was no hesitation from me. He's an experienced player who's been at the top level. It was great for him to get his goal last week.

"There was a few taking penalties in training on Friday and I watched them closely. He was very confident and I was confident in him stepping up today."

Rodriguez slammed the ball home in front of the 900 travelling Wrexham fans as the Welsh club claimed a first win which came by more than a one-goal margin since beating Northampton six weeks ago.

Wrexham had won four of their past five games by a 1-0 scoreline having won 16 games by a single goal – the most in the division.

With Rodriguez adding to Rathbone's 23rd-minute opener, Parkinson said: "We did speak about it at half-time; Exeter would have the wind with them, attacking that noisy terrace.

"But we didn't sit back, we took the game to them with some really good play – and a second goal makes it more comfortable on the touchline and for our supporters."

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Wrexham are in "good shape" as they go into the final eight games of the League One season.

The Dragons currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot after crucial back-to-back wins over rivals Wycombe Wanderers and Stockport County.

"There's a good understanding of what's required within the group and everyone's pulling together," manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We're ready and eight big games coming up. The lads are in good shape."

Wrexham were 3-0 winners over Saturday's opponents Exeter City when the sides met at the Stok Racecourse in November.

Exeter are unbeaten in their last six league games and Parkinson is expecting a tough test against Gary Caldwell's men.

"The Exeter challenge is another interesting one," Parkinson added.

"They've had an upturn in form recently but we got down there in really good spirits.

"They had a period where they were getting drawn into the relegation battle – the recent form has given them a bit of breathing space."

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The League One promotion race is getting interesting - and especially for Wrexham as they aim to return to the second tier for the first time in 43 years.

Ahead of Saturday's trip to Exeter City, we asked you who will be a key player for manager Phil Parkinson in the final eight fixtures of the season.

Here's a selection of your responses.

Jay - Much as I like [Sam] Smith, [Jay] Rodriguez has got to step up. Whoever partners Smith for the rest of the season is going to be the key player, because he can't play on his own.

Graham - This Wrexham team are built around a strong defensive set-up who leak very few goals. This will be the foundation of any success this season coupled with the ability to wear sides down before bringing [Steven] Fletcher on to finish them off.

David - The growing impact of the January signings - [Ryan] Longman, Rodriguez, and Smith - will trigger attacking synergy with [Ollie] Rathbone, [Matty] James and [Elliot] Lee. Goals will flow more easily and confidence will spread. Key man: perhaps surprisingly, Rodriguez.

Mike – It's goals that will get us up and Smith is the boy to do it. Also the experience of [Eoghan] O'Connell at the back.

Mitch - We still have Elliot Lee still coming back into the team. Think he could have an impact in the run-in.

Paul - With eight games left, results are the key not performances. Scoring has been the problem all year, which has meant the defence have been critical. O'Connell has been crucial leading the defence and was definitely man of the match on Saturday. Clean sheets will see us pinch games and Smith will be the man to do that.

David - Wrexham have a slightly easier run in than Wycombe. Sam Smith is crucial. Would like [Paul] Mullin to be involved.

Ollie – All players will play their part. Arthur [Okonkwo] will make some saves, Sam will score some goals, Macca (James McClean) will put some crosses in, Ollie will not stop running. Every player has played their part this season and I can't see it stopping.

Chris - If the players keep putting in a shift anything is possible. As with any team new signings take time to fit in and disrupted the rhythm of the team. Okonkwo has found his best form but needs to impose himself more.

Mike - The back three and keeper just need to keep doing what they're doing. Midfield hasn't really functioned all season along with left-wingback and the strikers, but we seem to find enough somehow when it matters. If we don't get second I suspect we've not enough for the intensity of the play-offs. Big rebuild required in the summer if we don't go up.

Fearless in Devotion - Arthur Okonkwo is key. He's coming into his own once again and showing why he was highly thought of at Arsenal. Then you've got player-of-the-season contender Ollie Rathbone. If he's on song, then the entire side usually are. Grossly underrated but an absolute Rolls Royce of a midfielder. Back to back to back olé olé? It's ON.

Rob - Jimmy McClean - his never-say-die attitude and what he brings to the team.

Stephen - Smith is the man that will keep the Wrexham fight going.

Andy - Rathbone has the engine to keep going for 90 mins non-stop. He's the key to automatic promotion.

Dai - Mullin has just shown his class in a reserve match, Parkinson needs to include him in the next matchday squad or at least tell the fans why he is frozen out.

Ashley - We've got the experience of doing it back to back, think we will go up again now. Think we have an easier run in than Wycombe. Rathbone and Smith the key men.

Ian - Sam Smith is our main striker now and the most likely to score important goals during the run-in. Rathbone is player of the season for me and brings energy like nobody else. Eight big games from O'Connell in defence would give us a great chance of promotion.