‘Emotions running high’ – Phil Parkinson reacts to Wrexham melee while making ‘season-defining’ vow to Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney in League Two promotion push

The Red Dragons suffered a 1-0 reversal against local rivals at SToK Racecourse in their latest League Two fixture. They remain inside the automatic promotion places for now, but are looking anxiously over their shoulder. Tempers threatened to boil over at full-time against Rovers, but Parkinson claims to have missed the on-field scuffle and does not expect any further action to be taken.

Wrexham’s boss said of learning that words were exchanged at the end of a lively derby encounter: “I had gone down the tunnel. Someone mentioned it to me but I was actually unaware of it until then. I don't know whether the referee had gone down the tunnel as well at the time. It is something you don't want to happen but emotions were running high.”

Wrexham failed to hit the net with any of the 25 efforts on goal that they fired in against Tranmere, but that sense of frustration will not be allowed to linger as Parkinson refuses to dwell on events of the past. He added: “We have got to reflect on this. There's so much to play for. This isn't a defining defeat although it was a local derby and we know what it means not only to our supporters but players and staff as well. But it is not a season-defining defeat. We are in a strong position and we have got to dust ourselves down, and get ready to go again at Grimsby next week.”

Wrexham have eight games left to take in this season, starting with a trip to Grimsby on Saturday. They are just five points adrift of leaders Mansfield, while sitting level with second-placed Stockport, but sixth-placed Barrow are only six points behind Parkinson’s side as the fourth-tier promotion race heats up.