Parkinson’s pride as Wrexham deliver against Boro

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson praised his side's honest and committed performance after defeating Championship leaders Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground. Second-half goals from George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone ended Middlesbrough's 11-game unbeaten league run. Parkinson, who is a boyhood Middlesbrough supporter, dedicated the victory to his father, who has been unwell over recent weeks back in Stockton-on-Tees.

The manager also confirmed a major injury blow, revealing striker Sam Smith will miss nine months with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Smith suffered the injury against Sheffield United and is scheduled for surgery next Wednesday. Despite missing several key players including Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, Liberato Cacace, and Callum O'Hare, Parkinson stressed that the squad would not accept feeling sorry for themselves.