DRAGONS LOVE A LATE DRAMA!
PHIL Parkinson was delighted to reward the 9,100 anxious Wrexham supporters with another dramatic lastgasp winner.
Two goals from Danny Whitehall looked like handing Eastleigh an unlikely three points, only for Paul Mullin to equalise 13 minutes from time.
And in shades of the crazy 6-5 home win over Dover Athletic a fortnight ago, Mullin struck the winner from the penalty spot in the eighth minute of time added on to earn the title chasers all three points.
“We keep saying that the game doesn’t finish until the referee blows his whistle,” said a relieved Parkinson.
“I’m so proud of the boys today because it was a tough afternoon at times. We stood strong as a group again and it’s an important three points.
“You can’t be at your best every single game, but when you don’t play well it’s imnell’s portant to get the points, and that’s what we’ve done.
“It can’t be luck that we keep driving to the end.”
The Spitfires took the lead through a clever flick by Whitehall on 26 minutes but Wrexham were soon level courtesy of a leaping Aaron Hayden header.
Eastleigh, whose manager Lee Bradbury missed the game due to personal reasons at home, restored the lead 20 minutes into the second half when Whitehall capitalised from the initial effort and slotted into the bottom corner.
Wrexham, though, are made of stern stuff these days and it was no surprise when they drew level for a second time on 77 minutes – Mullin headed home past keeper Joe McDonnell for his 19th goal in the National League season.
And he didn’t have to wait long for his 20th goal, firing his penalty kick straight down the middle of McDongoal to take all three points.
“It’s important we keep giving people value for money because it’s tough at the moment with the cost of living and we understand that in the group,” said Parkinson, whose side still trail leaders Stockport by eight points.
“It’s important that people who spend their hard-earned cash get rewarded with honest endeavour.”
Victory means Wrexham stay one point above FC Halifax ahead of a tough Good Friday fixture against fellow promotion chasers Solihull Moors.
“It’s an emotional game,” Parkinson concluded. “We’ve got to take stock of everything this week. We’ve had three wins and just need to have a refresh and a bit of calmness in the group.”