Wrexham defeated Accrington Stanley 4-0 at the STōK Cae Ras, thanks to a first-half hat trick from star striker Paul Mullin, securing the final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
The team owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had lost their previous three domestic league matches as they sought back-to-back promotions, but Saturday’s victory moves them within three points of leaders Mansfield Town, who have a game in hand.
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Mullin opened the scoring in the 17th minute by expertly heading a cross from the right wing past Radek Vitek in the Stanley goal.
The 29-year-old striker doubled his score eight minutes later with a typically powerful strike into the
bottom left corner. He won the match ball with a sharp diving header at the back post off Elliott Lee’s dangerous delivery from the right.
Lee closed out the scoring and the game with his own goal in the 41st minute. Following Mullin’s assist, the midfielder lashed the ball into the corner with the outside of his boot.
Lewis Shipley was sent off for Stanley in the dying minutes to cap off a disastrous afternoon for the visitors.
Wrexham are now third in League Two, tied with Stockport in second and two points ahead of Crewe Alexandra in fourth. Stockport have played fewer games than the Welsh side.
