The Welsh club can take a gigantic step towards promotion to the third tier by beating the table-topping Stags on Friday
The League Two promotion race has captivated onlookers all season long. Now, with just a handful of games left to play, Wrexham are tantalisingly close to securing a spot in the third tier for the first time in nearly two decades.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have made no secret of their lofty ambitions for the Red Dragons since completing their Hollywood takeover in 2021. And while failing to go up this campaign would not be disastrous, it would be extremely disappointing to not get the job done now after getting themselves into such a strong position.
Wrexham could take a giant step towards their ultimate goal on Friday too, as they prepare to host table-topping Mansfield in what is being billed as the biggest game of the Reynolds and McElhenney era.
But what exactly do Phil Parkinson's side need to do to beat the high-flying Stags. GOAL has taken a look at Mansfield's season so far to get a better idea of how Wrexham can pick up a gargantuan result at the SToK Racehorse this Easter weekend:
Getty ImagesResponding to disappointment
Mansfield have shown strength of character to lead the promotion-chasing pack this season, after heartbreakingly missing out on the play-offs by just one goal the previous campaign. Their pain was only heightened by the fact that their run-in had been a kind one.
The Stags were hovering outside the top seven on goal difference heading into their final two games against struggling Harrogate Town and Colchester. And even after disaster struck in the form of a sickening 2-1 home defeat to the former, a big victory against the relegation threatened U's would have still salvaged a play-off finish.
However, Mansfield could only beat Colchester 2-0, falling two goals short of what was required to be in with a shot of promotion – not that they've let that deter them this time out.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesSneaking to the top
After a fairly eye-catching summer transfer window – with experienced Championship operator Aden Flint the headline arrival – Mansfield have been slow and steady risers up the table since the season kicked-off.
Impressively, they did not lose a game in all competitions until October 31, though there inability to turn draws into wins meant they remained behind early pace-setters Stockport County. The tables began to turn on New Year's Day, though, when the Stags picked up a 2-0 win over the league leaders at Edgeley Park.
Stockport's form dropped off in the weeks that followed, with several of Mansfield's promotion rivals following suit. Eventually, just a week after smashing Harrogate 9-2, a 5-1 victory over Salford City moved the Stags to the top of the League Two table, where they have remained ever since.
Things are still extremely close, however. Mansfield are just two points ahead of Stockport in second, with the Hatters also boasting a game in hand. Wrexham, meanwhile, could draw level with the current leaders by beating them on Friday, while MK Dons, Crewe and Barrow will be aiming to pounce on any slip ups from the top six in the final weeks of the season.
Getty ImagesKey players
If Mansfield do get over the line, they will owe a debt of gratitude to their rock-solid defence, with summer signing Flint proving particularly crucial in that regard. The 34-year-old has 267 second-tier appearances to his name, with nine coming as recently as last season, and even helped Sheffield Wednesday to promotion through the League One play-offs in 2023, before opting to drop down to League Two. Since joining Mansfield, he hasn't missed a single league game, helping his side record the best defensive record in the division.
He's not done it alone, though. Fellow new arrival Baily Cargill, snapped up from Forest Green, has been excellent too. Filling in at both centre-back and left-back this season, the former Bournemouth trainee has five goals to his name.
Mansfield aren't too shabby at the other end of the pitch either. In Davis Keillor-Dunn, they possess one of the most potent attacking forces in the lower leagues. Formerly of Wrexham, Reynolds and McElhenney will have looked on enviously as the attacking midfielder has helped himself to 19 goals and eight assists this season.
Wise old head Stephen Quinn has chipped in with bucket loads of creativity too. The 18-time Ireland international's 11 assists are made even more impressive considering he missed a chunk of the season through injury.
Getty ImagesVastly-experienced coach
And Quinn isn't the only wily veteran at Mansfield's disposal. In Nigel Clough, Mansfield also boast one of the most-experienced coaches in League Two. Son of legendary Nottingham Forest and Derby County boss Brian, Clough took over in November 2020, following two spells with Burton Albion and stints at Derby and Sheffield United.
He guided Mansfield to the League Two play-off final in his first full season in charge. Unfortunately for the Stags, Port Vale proved too much for them and they slumped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Wembley.
Since then, Clough has continually kept Mansfield in the promotion hunt, and his reputational pull has been helpful in the transfer market. Earlier this month Flint revealed to : "[Clough] was the main factor in me coming. I could have signed for him when he was at Derby – that was many moons ago, 2010 I think. It's good that I'm with him now at this stage of his career with the experience I have. He's really experienced too and I'm learning every day."
Phil Parkinson will be familiar with Clough, too. The two managerial veterans have faced off 12 times across their careers, with the current Wrexham boss coming off worse on the lions share of those occasions. Parkinson has only beaten Clough twice, drawing three of their encounters and losing the other seven.