Two goals in as many second-half minutes saw Wrexham leap back into the League One automatic promotion places after a vital 2-1 win at Blackpool.
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Wrexham beat Blackpool 2-1McClean and Rathbone scoreLeapfrog Wycombe into secondFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
Wrexham started the day in third, one point behind second-placed Wycombe, and tried to lay down a marker early on with a fast start at Bloomfield Road.
James McClean was through on goal after a lovely team move but goalkeeper Harry Tyrer made a good stop, although this was a gilt-edged opportunity. Jay Rodriguez had a big chance of his own from close range but the Blackpool stopper kept out his effort, too.
The Welsh side finally got the breakthrough in the 61st minute when veteran McClean curled a 20-yard shot through a crowd of bodies to send the away fans wild. Ollie Rathbone then doubled the Red Dragons' lead two minutes later when he swept home Rodriguez's neat lay-off from 10 yards.
Substitute Stephen Fletcher was fortunate to stay on the field after accidentally kicking Oliver Casey in the face, with the Scot getting away with a booking.
Blackpool's Rob Apter fired into the corner at the death to make it 2-1 but it meant little as the raucous travelling fans roared their side to victory as Phil Parkinson's men capitalised on Wycombe's shock 4-0 home loss to fellow promotion-hopefuls Charlton Athletic to cap off a remarkable Easter Sunday.
Wrexham now have a two-point cushion over Wycombe with two games to play as they aim for an historic third straight promotion.
AdvertisementTHE MVP
Although he missed a glorious chance in the first half, McClean showed a much-needed bit of quality to break the deadlock and pave the way to this crucial Wrexham victory. The 35-year-old has delivered so often for them in the last two seasons, and this was another example of that.
THE BIG LOSER
Wrexham showed their fighting spirit to secure a vital three points but their gain was Wycombe's loss as they imploded against a high-flying Charlton at Adams Park. They had this promotion race in their hands and inexplicably got thumped on their own patch to a promotion rival.
Getty Images SportWHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham are not over the line, though, as on Saturday they host in-form Charlton at Stok Cae Ras in a battle between second and fourth in League One. The Addicks are just four points behind the Welsh outfit so this will be a challenging encounter.