Wrexham thumped Accrington Stanley 4-0 at the STōK Cae Ras behind a first-half hat trick from star striker Paul Mullin, leaving them in the final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
The team owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had failed to win any of their previous three domestic league matches as they seek back-to-back promotions, but Saturday’s win sees them move to just three points behind leaders Mansfield Town, who have a game in hand.
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Mullin opened the scoring in the 17th minute, expertly heading a cross from the right wing past Radek Vitek in the Stanley goal.
The 29-year-old striker doubled his tally eight minutes later with a typically powerful strike into the bottom-left corner. He secured the match ball with a sharp diving header at the back post from Elliott Lee’s dangerous delivery, again from the right.
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Lee wrapped up the scoring and indeed the contest with a goal of his own in the 41st minute. The midfielder lashed the ball into the corner with the outside of his boot after Mullin turned provider.
Lewis Shipley was sent off for Stanley in the dying minutes to round off a torrid afternoon for the visitors.
Wrexham are now third in League Two, level on points with Stockport in second and two points ahead of Crewe Alexandra in fourth. Stockport have played a game fewer than the Welsh side.
The defeat leaves Stanley 16th in the 24-team league.