Wrexham survive moment of madness from George Evans as birthday boy Elliot Lee helps 10-man Red Dragons defeat Colchester to maintain League Two promotion charge - and all in front of watching Ryan Reynolds

Already on a yellow, George Evans lunged into a challenge that saw him receive a straight red card within the first 26 minutes, leaving Wrexham, who were 1-0 up at the time after Elliot Lee's opening goal, having to play out the remainder of the contest with 10 men. Fortunately for the hosts, in front of the watching Ryan Reynolds, Colchester struggled to find a way past Mark Howard, with the Red Dragons moving into a two-goal lead after 69 minutes as Zach Mitchell sent the ball into his own net following James McCLean's wicked cross from the left. Matthew Etherington's side did pull one back late on as Jayden Fevrier slammed home from close range but Wrexham held on to stay hot on the heels of table-toppers Stockport.

George Evans will have Christmas off! As referee Oliver Yates showed him a straight red card, rather than two yellows, for his poorly-timed tackle in the first half, the ex-Derby County midfielder will now serve a three-match ban that will see him unavailable for games against Newport County, Swindon and Walsall. Evans will then be able to be selected again on January 1, when Wrexham face Barrow in League Two.

The Wrexham back three, comprising of captain Ben Tozer, Tom O'Connor and Eoghan O'Connell, as well as goalkeeper Howard, all deserve huge credit for dealing with everything that Colchester could throw at them. Indeed, Evans' red card after just 26 minutes put the team under immense pressure from then on, and although the visitors did finally find a way through, Parkinson's side had done enough to take all three points.

It's got to be Evans. Already on a yellow card, the former Manchester City midfielder should've known better as he slid recklessly into the challenge that saw him given a deserved straight red. It left the hosts with their backs against the wall for the rest of the contest, with struggling Colchester dominating possession from that point on - and having 18 attempts at goal - in a game that should've been much more comfortable for the hosts.

Wrexham will have a week off before the busy festive period really gets going. Rotation is likely to be the order of the day for Parkinson, with the Red Dragons having to play four matches in the space of just 10 days. That gruelling run of League Two fixtures starts with a meeting with Newport County on December 23, before games against Swindon Town and Walsall. The New Year's Day match, meanwhile, sees Wrexham usher in 2024 with a home fixture against Barrow at SToK Racecourse.