Wrexham secured a 2-0 victory over Championship leaders Middlesbrough at the Racecourse Ground, ending the visitors' 11-match unbeaten league run. Second-half goals from George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone gave the Red Dragons their fourth win in 14 league matches this season.
Parkinson praises honesty and commitment
Manager Phil Parkinson expressed pride in his side's response after a lacklustre display against Sheffield United five days earlier. "All I ever want and all the owners want is the honesty in the performance which our fans can relate to," Parkinson said. "That's why there's been a great connection between the supporters and the players, owners and myself because, in general, they've seen honesty and commitment and that's what the club's all about."
Parkinson added that Middlesbrough "know they've been in a game tonight" and emphasized the standard set at the Racecourse: "If anyone comes to the Racecourse, they've got to know that they've been in one hell of a game."
Personal tribute to father
The 58-year-old manager, a boyhood Middlesbrough supporter, revealed his father has been unwell recently. "I'd just like to make a special mention to my dad, he's been ill over the last few weeks," Parkinson said. "I know how much that performance will have lifted him tonight, watching back home in Stockton-on-Tees with a lot of his friends, Middlesbrough fans as well. I just can't wait to speak to him on the way back."
Sam Smith faces lengthy absence
Wrexham's injury concerns deepened with confirmation that striker Sam Smith has suffered a cruciate ligament injury. The 28-year-old, who was hurt in the defeat at Sheffield United, will undergo surgery next Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for nine months. Smith joins Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, Liberato Cacace and Callum O'Hare on the injury list.
Parkinson insisted the squad would not feel sorry for themselves despite the setbacks. "We've had injuries in other years, we've had setbacks, we've always dug deep," he said. "I felt at Sheffield United we looked like a team that had almost taken one blow too many, but I'm not accepting that."
