Wrexham's new signing scored the only goal of the game to see off Rotherham and move the Welsh side level on points with Wycombe.
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Wrexham beat Rotherham 1-0 in League OneVictory boosts club's promotion hopesWelsh side level on points with second-placed WycombeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
Phil Parkinson made just one change to his team for the visit of Rotherham with Elliot Lee replacing George Dobson, but saw his team toil in the first half in a showing devoid of urgency. Indeed fans had to wait until midway through the first half simply to see a shot on target. Smith and Jay Rodriguez combined to tee up Sebastian Revan, but he could only fire a poor effort high and wide.
Smith looked the brightest player in the Wrexham attack and teed up Longman for another chance shortly afterwards on the counter which resulted in another poor finish, before the January signing shot straight at goalkeeper Dillon Phillips in another foray forward. At the other end, Rotherham had few sights of goal but did test Arthur Okonkwo just before half-time through Mallik Wilks, only for the stopper to produce an excellent reflex save.
Wrexham stepped it up in the second half and broke the deadlock within minutes of the restart. Rodriguez headed on a goal kick by Okonkwo for Smith to run onto and flick past Phillips with his left foot to put the hosts ahead.
Parkinson sent on Steven Fletcher and James McClean after the hour but Wrexham couldn't find a second goal and had to withstand some serious Rotherham pressure in the closing stages. Pelly Mpanzu and Shaun McWilliams both had shots blocked, while Andre Green wasted a late chance deep into stoppage time by blazing over the bar.
The win means Wrexham stay in third place in the table but are now level on points with Wycombe in second as the battle for promotion hots up with just 11 games of the season remaining.
AdvertisementTHE MVP
Smith looked Wrexham's most dangerous player in a disappointing first 45 minutes and it was no surprise to see him grab the winner. The January signing's neat flick beat the goalkeeper after running on to a flick on by Rodriguez. Wrexham splashed out heavily on Smith in the January window to boost their firepower and that's exactly what he provided here, scoring his second goal for the Welsh club to celebrate his 27th birthday in style.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
Wrexham talisman Paul Mullin's struggles this season continued on Saturday, with the forward once again not even making the squad for the match. The arrival of Smith and Jay Rodriguez in January has increased the competition for places in attack and, with the duo combining for the only goal on Saturday, Mullin's hopes of even making the bench appear to have taken another hit.
GettyWHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham are back in action on Tuesday in League one against Smith's former team Reading.