Wrexham dealt huge promotion blow! Phil Parkinson's Red Dragons outclassed by play-off rivals Barnsley in dismal start to 2025 for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side

Although it was a gloomy afternoon at Oakwell, it was a bright start for the Red Dragons as Oliver Rathbone found the net soon after the first whistle. Unfortunately, it was ruled out for offside. However, Parkinson's men kept up the tempo but almost against the run of play, they conceded in the 11th minute when Davis Keillor-Dunn curled an effort into the net past Mark Howard.

Barnsley stuck to their plan and were looking to hit on the counter. And in the 24th minute, a sensational run from Max Watters set up Adam Phillips for the second. The forward skipped past Ryan Barnett and cut inside at the edge of the box for Philips who struck with so much conviction that the ball flew into the top left corner beyond the reach of Howard.

At half-time, Parkinson introduced Steven Fletcher for Ollie Palmer and it did change things for the better.

They kept knocking at Barnsley's door and finally in the 80th minute, they pulled back one through Max Cleworth. It all started from a corner and after Paul Mullin crossed it low inside the box, Barnsley's defenders failed to clear their lines. The loose ball fell for the Wrexham No.4, who smashed home from close range.

Barnsley's Phillips shined the brightest throughout. The midfielder put in a shift while defending and also made the runs through the middle during counter attacks. Moreover, his peach of a strike from outside the box was a delight to watch and eventually, it emerged as the difference-maker between the two teams.

Almost 3000 Wrexham fans made the journey to Oakwell on New Year's Day and they had to leave disappointed. Some poor defending during both goals cost them the match and although they mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, Cleworth's goal was too little too late to salvage a point for the visitors.

Wrexham have little time to regroup as they will face Peterborough on Saturday in their next League One encounter.