Ravens just can’t match Mullin

PAUL Mullin’s double helped Wrexham to a crucial victory which opened up a three-point gap at the top of the National League.

A modern-day attendance record of 5,027 packed into Hayes Lane but the majority were left silenced by two goals in the space of four second-half minutes from the Dragons top scorer.

Michael Cheek pulled a quickfire goal back for the Ravens but the visitors held on, much to the relief of manager Phil Parkinson.

“When Bromley pulled one back we had to dig deep,” Parkinson said. “But we saw the game out and it’s another step in the right direction.

“It was a hard game, but the lads were great, we had to show that bit of class.”

Parkinson’s side got off to a lightning start and should have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Ollie Palmer saw his header clear off the line before Jacob Mendy crashed a header against the crossbar after reacting quickest to Ryan Barnett’s cross.

With Bromley on the ropes, Ben Tozer perhaps had the clearest chance of the opening exchanges but he planted his free header wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Bromley’s first effort on goal when it came was an outrageous lob by Callum Reynolds. The central defender saw Rob Lainton off his line but his effort from the half way line landed on the roof of the net with Lainton beaten.

The second half saw a similar pattern to the first, with Wrexham immediately on the front foot – Mullin seeing his header saved by debutant keeper Sam Long, on loan from Lincoln City.

Mullin was not to be denied, however, giving the league leaders the lead just shy of the hour, heading in Barnett’s cross to the delight of the huge away following.

And Bromley were to be the architects of their own downfall moments later – Tozer’s long throw was fumbled by Long and Mullin made no mistake on the line to double the lead – his 31st in the league this season.

To their credit, Bromley hit back and pulled within a goal almost immediately – second-half substitute Louis Dennis’ shot-cum-cross was tapped in by Cheek.

But that was to be as good as it got for Bromley, who only had Corey Whitely’s shot into the side netting to show for their efforts as Wrexham hung on.

Despite the defeat, Bromley boss Andy Woodman was effusive in his praise for his charges, adding: “I couldn’t be more proud of being manager of the football club today.

“Not just for the performance but the people that turned out and backed us.

“I am immensely proud the boys gave me absolutely everything and never let their heads dropped. It was a great learning curve for so many of our young lads.”