Oliver Rathbone's 92nd-minute winner took Wrexham to within two points of top spot in League One with a crucial 1-0 victory over Barnsley.
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Wrexham beat Barnsley 1-0Rathbone with late winnerWelsh close gap to top spotFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
Wrexham shaded the first half but they were struck down by more bad luck as second-choice goalkeeper Callum Burton – who came in for the injured Arthur Okonkwo – was forced off through injury in the 23rd minute. Ryan Barnett, Matty James, Max Cleworth, and Elliott Lee went close for the hosts but Barnsley keeper Ben Killip was in inspired form.
Conversely, Fabio Jalo and Adam Phillips tested Howard in the Wrexham goal in a gritty, low-quality encounter. The Red Dragons, who have the best home form in the division, kept pushing and finally got the breakthrough in second-half stoppage time when Rathbone drove in from 20 yards to send the Stok Cae Ras into raptures.
The result sees the Welsh team, who have won nine of 10 home games this term, consolidate their place in second but now they are just two points behind table-toppers Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE MVP
Barnsley stopper Ben Killipput in an excellent display for the Tykes but Rathbone's moment of quality settled the match with a goal worthy of winning any game.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Callum Burton signed for Wrexham over the summer but it seemed he was always going to play second fiddle to Okonkwo in goal. He was then handed an unexpected opportunity but now he too has succumbed to injury. The former Plymouth Argyle man, who has played well for the first team, will hope he is back fit very soon.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham, who have the 13th-worst away record in League One, are next in action on Saturday when they take on bottom-of-the-table Burton Albion on their own patch.