Wrexham left it late to beat Peterborough United on Saturday to keep pace in the race for automatic promotion in Phil Parkinson’s 1000th game as a coach.
Parkinson first managed a professional game as manager of Colchester United in March 2003, leading his team to a win over Port Vale on that day — and he managed to replicate that result at the STōK Cae Ras 999 games later, though it did not come as easily as many had predicted.
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Peterborough, languishing in 19th in League One, were resolute in defence in the first half in particular. They did ride their luck at times — notably when Paul Mullin uncharacteristically failed to hit the target from inside the box — but largely made their Hollywood-owned opposition seem toothless going forward.
Parkinson made several changes in the second period, bringing on captain James McClean, striker Steven Fletcher and fellow attacker Modou Faal, and those resources eventually told.
Fletcher had moments earlier watched a header sail over the bar, but made no mistake in the 87th minute as he directed Oliver Rathbone‘s cross into the top-right corner, sparking wild celebrations that saw the former Sunderland man booked for his exuberance.
The result means Wrexham stay third behind Tom Brady’s Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers. Birmingham beat Wigan on Saturday to go top, while Wycombe conceded late to draw with Blackpool and are now level on points with Wrexham having played a game fewer.