Parkinson’s frustrated as Dragons lose again

WREXHAM’S promotion hopes took another hit as boss Phil Parkinson admitted frustration over a third league defeat in a row.

Andy Cook scored Bradford’s late winner just minutes after his penalty had been saved by Arthur Okonkwo.

But Parkinson felt his team had done more than enough to halt a poor run which has seen them come out on the losing side against Newport and Salford.

He said: “It hurts. We dominated the game, particularly in the first half when we were excellent.

“We got in some good positions and just couldn’t find the moment. That was probably as good a first-half performance as we’ve put in for a while.

“We know we’re in a period where it’s not going our way but the lads have given us absolutely everything.

“We were very much on the front foot all over the pitch but football is about putting the ball in the back of the net.

“When you’ve had a few defeats and things are going against you, that can happen. We deserved to win the game.”

Cook claimed his 14th goal of the season, heading home from close range after Okonkwo had blocked his initial effort.

Bradford keeper Sam Walker saved Steven Fletcher’s first-half header and dived to tip away a well-struck drive from Ryan Barnett.

Aaron Hayden headed wide from James McClean’s free-kick as Wrexham had most of the first half.

Elliot Lee glanced narrowly wide before Bradford were given a big chance after Hayden brought down Cook. The striker’s penalty was a weak one and saved by Okonkwo.

But Cook had the last laugh as he bundled his way through to seal Bradford’s first league win in nine games.

For Bantams boss Graham Alexander, it was a second win at Wrexham this season, having won with MK Dons on the opening day.

“I can’t speak highly enough about my players,” he said.

“I feel defensively we’ve been really strong, really disciplined and structured. It’s just taking the moments in front of goal that has let us down.

“That’s the whole team, we all have to take responsibility for those opportunities. If we had done that, I think we would have won many more games which we deserve.

“We’ve won a big fixture today for us and hopefully it will give the players and fans belief that there’s something worth fighting for.”