Wrexham’s biggest game of the Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney era! Why blockbuster Mansfield clash could have seismic effect on Hollywood duo’s Welsh dream

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.

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.

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.

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 Sky Sports: "[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.

Despite this concerning record, Wrexham should not be completely discouraged ahead of Friday's monster clash. While Parkinson has struggled to find the answers against Clough in the past, the Red Dragons boast a victory over Friday's opponents already this season.

That win came in the FA Cup first round back in November, in a game played in appalling, rainy conditions. Star man Paul Mullin was on the scoresheet at Field Mill, as was strike partner Sam Dalby, as Wrexham secured an impressive 2-1 victory to kickstart another cup run.

The victory came just a month after the pair met in the league for the first time this season, with the two teams playing out a 0-0 draw. Mansfield will have come away from that encounter frustrated, as despite peppering the Wrexham goal with 20 shots - which generated an xG of 1.22 - they could not find a way past impressive Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo.

To gain the upper hand this time around, there are a couple of things Wrexham will need to be wary off. For the majority of Mansfield's games this season, Clough has rejected the use of traditional wide men, with his side lining up in a slightly unusual 4-3-1-2 formation. This shape has allowed Mansfield to dominate the ball, with the deepest-lying midfielder Louis Reed dictating things. Stopping him from playing will be pivotal; this might be a job for Elliot Lee, who has been superb out of possession for the Red Dragons this season, as well as scoring and assisting for fun.

The rest of Wrexham's midfielders will need to be on high alert too, with Mansfield excelling at third-man runs from that area of the pitch. Mullin will also have his work cut out finding space away from Flint, though he did manage to net in that FA Cup clash.

While Mansfield have plenty of strengths, their narrow set-up can leave space in the wide areas if the midfielders and attackers cannot shuffle across in time to cover. Wrexham's wing-backs Liam Barnett and Jacob Mendy - if he's passed fit to play - will be licking their lips at this prospect. Additionally, the fact that Parkinson uses a back-three means Wrexham won't be left short if one of the central defenders is forced to step up and mark the talismanic Keillor-Dunn.

All in all, it should be a fascinating encounter, with the sell-out crowd that's certain to be present at the SToK Racecourse also having a major role to play. They will be roaring their team onto victory, acutely aware that three points here would put them within touching distance of a historic second promotion in as many seasons.