Goals in the first and last minute of the game handed Wrexham a fortunate 2-1 victory and three points over Crawley Town.
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Lee scored last-second winnerWrexham keep pressure on BirminghamIbrahim screamer not enough for dominant CrawleyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
It was the perfect start for the Red Dragons after some intricate play between Ryan Barnett and Oliver Rathbone allowed the latter to play across the box and set up Matty James to strike after 62 seconds. Rathbone was again causing problems for the hosts as he picked out new signing Jay Rodriguez who almost doubled the advantage on his debut with a volley saved by Matthew Cox.
Despite taking the lead and dominating the opening exchanges, Wrexham allowed Crawley back into the game and the majority of possession. The hosts, let down by poor finishing by Tyreece John-Jules and Will Swan, continued to probe but, at half-time, were yet to register a shot on target from their seven efforts.
Wrexham, perhaps given a boost at half-time, started the second period the brightest with Max Cleworth offering the biggest threat down the right-hand-side. Yet, the Red Dragons were unable to find a second and, like the first-half, allowed Crawley back into the game.
Despite Rushian Hepburn-Murphy offering a glimmer of inspiration, it looked like there would be no way through the Wrexham defence. When it appeared the game was fizzling out, a clearance found Bradley Ibrahim 30-yards from goal and he fired in a screamer from distance in the 90th minute. After a day of poor finishing all-round, Ibrahim’s strike grabbed the hosts a deserved equaliser.
The game was not done yet though as Wrexham threw bodies forward in search of a winner. Steven Fletcher went close with a late header before the pressure eventually told as Elliot Lee headed in a lofted cross from Ryan Longman in the 95th minute.
The Red Dragons were far from spectacular but will be relieved to steal three points and keep pace with leaders Birmingham City.
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Rathbone was the standout player in the heart of the Wrexham midfield as he covered every blade of grass for the Red Dragons. His assist for James led to the opener and the midfielder was impressive throughout. Rathbone, alongside James and George Dobson, have formed a particularly strong midfield as they push for promotion to the Championship.
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It was an afternoon to forget for John-Jules. The Crawley striker was not at his best and was unable to offer much threat to the Wrexham defence. The Arsenal academy product missed a chance to level in the first half before being hauled off after 55 minutes.
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Wrexham’s shiny new strike-force were deployed from the start and showed glimpses of what they could offer in the second half of the season. Seeing Rodriguez, the £15k-a-week former Premier League striker, and Smith, a £2 million signing from Reading, would have excited the Wrexham fans who will be hopeful their additions can provide the firepower needed in their promotion push. Both strikers had chances to open their accounts but were unable to do so against an organised Crawley and were substitued before the end.