Sam Smith was the star of the show as Wrexham beat Burton 3-0 and inched closer towards automatic promotion into the Championship.
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Wrexham 3-0 winners in League OneSmith scored and won penalty for Red DragonsOld faces Fletcher and Marriott also baggedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
The Red Dragons could not have been given an easier start after Burton had a man dismissed after just 11 minutes. Charlie Webster was the man sent packing for the visitors after lunging in desperately on George Dobson, leaving his studs high on the shin of the midfielder and giving referee Seb Stockbridge no choice but to brandish the red card.
The chances then began to fall for the Welsh side, with Oliver Rathbone blasting one over from just inside the box and Matty James sending one wide of the post from a similar position.
There was an emerging pattern at the SToK Racecourse. Wrexham were taking their time to build up with patient play but were constantly met by a wall of Burton players who seemed comfortable dealing with the host's many crosses.
Meanwhile, Gary Bowyer's side did look dangerous on the break and often caught Wrexham out with some fluid movements in the final third, although to no real bother for goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Burton even had a tame call for a penalty turned away in the first half and they remained happy for Wrexham to control, which was reflected in the stats at the break, with the hosts having over 70% of the ball as well as 12 shots compared to their opponents' three.
There was certainly more intent from Wrexham as they emerged back into the Welsh sunshine for the second half and their bright restart was almost rewarded when Sam Smith hit the woodwork with a header.
A few delays due to small injuries in the Burton camp eventually dragged the game back down to a slower pace, although the home team still looked the more likely to break the deadlock.
And the moment finally came in the 69th minute when Wrexham were awarded a penalty after Smith was wiped out by goalkeeper Max Crocombe in the box. The striker was congratulated for his work to win the spot kick before the ball was handed over to substitute Steven Fletcher, who buried his effort.
Minutes later and Smith had a goal of his own. The 27-year-old latched onto a through ball from Ryan Longman and had all the time in the world to pick his spot, eventually choosing to slot the ball into the far corner before wheeling away to celebrate.
It was Smith's last major contribution to the match as he was withdrawn shortly after to a standing ovation, including from the boss himself in Ryan Reynolds, who was in attendance and proving to be a good luck charm.
Parkinson's men had one more in them before the final whistle and their third came through Jack Marriott. The forward met a ball carried over the top of the defence thanks to the wind and struck the ball sweetly into the bottom corner with his laces.
Truthfully, it was a scrappy game made difficult by the windy conditions but no one aside from the Burton players and fans inside the stadium will care. Wrexham earned themselves three big points that puts them that step closer to another promotion.
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Were it not for Smith's constant running and battling in the Burton half, Wrexham may not have walked away with all three points. His persistence was the difference between the two teams and he was wise enough to pick himself up after rattling the crossbar and provide the key moments in the match, winning the penalty for his side before grabbing a goal himself.
THE BIG LOSER
Jay Rodriguez has been a prominent figure for Wrexham since joining in January but his afternoon ended 30 minutes in after picking up a knock. He will be thanking his team-mates – in particular Smith – for getting the job done without him.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham are still chasing promotion into the Championship but it remains a tight contest in the standings below them. Phil Parkinson's side will now turn their attention to next Saturday's clash at relegation candidates Wigan and can breathe a little easier following third-placed Wycombe's loss to Reading.
