Wrexham stun leaders Middlesbrough to end 11-game unbeaten run
Second-half goals from George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone gave Wrexham a 2-0 win over Championship leaders Middlesbrough, easing pressure on manager Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham handed Championship leaders Middlesbrough only their second league defeat of the season, winning 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground to end Boro's 11-game unbeaten run in the division.
George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone scored in the second half to settle the contest against Kim Hellberg's side, delivering a result that eases some of the pressure building on Phil Parkinson after a difficult run of form.
The win came five days after a flat Wrexham performance in a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United, and Parkinson described the response as exactly what the club needed.
"As I said to you after the game on Friday, all I ever want and all the owners want is the honesty in the performance which our fans can relate to," Parkinson said, according to Yahoo Sports.
He said that bond between supporters, players, owners and himself stems from them generally seeing honesty and commitment on the pitch, which he feels sums up the identity of the club.
He added: "I'm just really pleased. We're not getting carried away, but we upset a good team tonight."
Parkinson said Boro would have been left in no doubt about the scale of the test they faced: "Middlesbrough know they've been in a game tonight." He credited the approach he and assistant coach Steve Parkin have instilled since taking charge, saying any visitor to the Racecourse knows they face a demanding contest, and suggested the Middlesbrough players would recognise that after the match.
The victory carried personal significance for Parkinson, a boyhood Middlesbrough supporter whose father has been unwell in recent weeks. "I'd just like to make a special mention to my dad, he's been ill over the last few weeks," he 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."
Wrexham were without striker Sam Smith for the game after he sustained a knee injury in the closing stages of the defeat at Sheffield United. Parkinson confirmed afterwards that the full extent of the problem has now been established.
"Unfortunately with Sam, he's done his cruciate," Parkinson said. "He's going to be out for nine months and faces the operation next Wednesday."
Smith's absence adds to a lengthening injury list at Wrexham that already includes Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, Liberato Cacace and Callum O'Hare.
Parkinson said Wrexham had weathered injuries and setbacks before and always responded with resilience, adding that his side had looked at Sheffield United like a team that had taken one blow too many, but that he was not prepared to accept that mentality continuing.
The win against the Championship's form side offers Parkinson evidence that his squad can absorb further setbacks as the season continues, even as the list of unavailable players grows.