By Paul Jones
Paul Mullin has been praised for his ruthless attitude after Wrexham set up a potential promotion party this weekend.
Striker Mullin scored twice as Wrexham beat play-off chasing Crawley Town 4-1 at The Racecourse on Tuesday night.
It means they will achieve back-to-back promotions and League One status next season if they beat Forest Green Rovers on Saturday and MK Dons and Barrow fail to win against Mansfield Town and Gillingham respectively on the same day.
Mullin’s second goal was his 23rd of the season and it was the fact that it was struck so late in the game – eight minute from time with his team already 3-0 ahead – that impressed assistant manager Steve Parkin.
“It was a really clinical performance,” said Parkin.
“”He didn’t give it up. At 3-0 it would have been easy for him to put the brakes on but he felt he could get there,” he added.
“I think the goalkeeper was in two minds whether to come or not, and it was a very clinical finish.
“Mulls has been right on it the last couple of weeks.”
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Ryan Barnett’s maiden Wrexham goal put the hosts ahead and Mullin doubled the advantage before Andy Cannon netted and Mullin grabbed his second as full-time approached.
Klaidi Lolos netted a stoppage-time consolation for Crawley.
“We worked long and hard over the weekend about Crawley and how good they were away from home,” added Parkin.
“We set out a game-plan to the lads that we thought would be enough to create chances and the lads stuck to it with the exception of the last goal.
“They worked so hard off the ball which is what you have to do against a team who are great in possession, and we thought we would create chances on the break.
“The goals were great and some of the football was good. We know that they have a lot of possession and keep the ball well but we felt if we broke quickly and with pace, and were good in front of goal, we’d have a great chance of winning the game which is what happened.”
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Wrexham went ahead when Elliot Lee’s teasing left-wing cross was headed in from close range by Barnett after 20 minutes.
The lead was doubled shortly after when Cannon found Mullin to score his 20th league goal this season.
Jay Williams went close to halving the deficit six minutes before the break but fired inches wide.
Cannon added Wrexham’s third with 14 minutes left after Corey Addai parried Lee’s shot into his path to slot home.
Mullin went one-on-one on 82 minutes to score his second and Wrexham’s fourth of the evening before Lolos hooked home a consolidation in stoppage time.
Wrexham – in second place – are now five points above MK Dons who are in fourth and occupy the top play-off position.
After hosting Forest Green on Saturday, Wrexham travel to Crewe, before finsing thei season with a home game against leaders Stockport County.
Wrexham move a step closer to promotion after beating Crawley Town 4-1 ⚽#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/99VcsHe34b
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 9, 2024