‘Pushed into the hoardings!’ - Why Wrexham want ‘better protection’ for Paul Mullin after seeing Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney invest heavily in star striker

Prolific frontman Mullin was also on the receiving end of a full-blooded challenge in a 1-1 draw at Bradford that his manager believes was a “stonewall” penalty. Those spot-kick shouts were waved away, while no action was taken after seeing the 28-year-old shoved into the advertising boards at Valley Parade.

Mullin is still working his way back to full match sharpness after suffering a punctured lung in pre-season during a supposedly friendly clash with Manchester United in the United States. Wrexham are understandably keen to ensure that their most potent attacking weapon is available as often as possible.

Parkinson told reporters when asked about some of the rough treatment handed out to Mullin against Bradford – including the penalty calls which could have changed the final outcome: “How the ref hasn’t given that is incredible. We could all see that the lad’s slid in, caught him and pulled him down. It’s an absolute stonewall penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty but you’re also crying out for better protection in open play for Mulls. I thought he got pushed into the hoardings in the second half but it is a physical game. That’s how we like it but I think when the ref looks back at it, he’ll see that it was a clear pen.”

Mullin scored Wrexham’s goal against Bradford, taking him to three for the season, and – after netting 47 across all competitions in a record-breaking promotion-winning campaign last term – is up to 82 in total through 105 appearances after being taken to SToK Racecourse by Dragons co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.