PARKINSON’S SO HAPPY AS MULLIN’S TON INSPIRES WIN
PHIL Parkinson praised his Wrexham side’s character after they came from behind to win at relegation-threatened Colchester United.
Goals from Max Cleworth and Paul Mullin secured the promotion-chasing Reds’ victory after John Akinde had fired the hosts ahead after a goalless first half.
Wrexham boss Parkinson said: “It’s all about character. We’ve gone a goal down and we’ve responded brilliantly.
“Colchester drew at Mansfield, they drew last week (at Tranmere) and beat Newport here – their results are a lot better than their league position suggests.
“Once again, we’ve had to dig deep and show that Wrexham resilience, which we’re renowned for.”
Colchester impressed in the first half, with Akinde and Connor Hall both going close. They then took a 54th minute lead through Akinde, although that lasted just eight minutes as Mullin headed home Ryan Barnett’s cross unmarked to equalise for his 100th goal for Wrexham.
Cleworth then nodded in Wrexham’s 85th-minute winner.
Parkinson said: “Barney (Ryan Barnett) has produced a bit of magic with a fantastic pinpoint cross for Mulls.
A 100th goal for him is a great achievement and I’m so pleased for Max (Cleworth).
“At this stage of the season it’s about producing moments of inspiration and somebody stepping up to the plate, and Max has done that. There were 2,000 Wrexham fans singing his name.
“That’s what it’s all about – it’s about can I be the man that pro- duces that moment and Max did that.”
Colchester created chances in the first half, with Hall lifting a firsttime shot over and Akinde heading over from close range.
Alistair Smith fired over in the area for Colchester and McGeehan’s low strike from the edge of the area was well held by goalkeeper Okonkwo.
Wrexham’s best chance of the first half came just before half-time when Mullin slid a shot wide from close range, after a good break.
However, Colchester took a 54th-minute lead through Akinde, who clinically fired a low shot past Okonkwo from just inside the area after McGeehan had done well to set him up.
But their lead lasted just eight minutes as Mullin headed home Barnett’s cross unmarked from close range to equalise.
And Cleworth then nodded in Wrexham’s 85th-minute winner after Colchester had failed to deal with George Evans’ delivery into their area, to seal the visitors’ comeback win. Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: “Playing football for 60 minutes is not enough.
“If you want to win, you have to play for 90 minutes or however long they want to add on these days.
“We were 1-0 up in front of a full house and the atmosphere was bouncing and you just need to step up and keep playing.
“We didn’t do that and do you know what – at halftime, they were fighting between themselves in our tunnel, because we stood up to them.”