Wrexham promoted to Championship! Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Rob McElhenney lead the celebrations as Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith stunners secure victory over Charlton

The Racecourse Ground was bouncing from the off as the Red Dragons kicked off knowing victory would seal second place and promotion to the Championship. Wrexham piled on the pressure and, within 16 minutes, it told as Ollie Rathbone lashed in the opener through a crowd of bodies from the edge of the box. Things went from bad to worse for Charlton just three minutes later as Wrexham extended their lead – Sam Smith volleying a stunning effort home from a dinked Matty James pass.

In the second half, Charlton pressed the Wrexham defence for an opening to get back into the game. However, the Red Dragons did not allow the visitors a sniff of a chance and Phil Parkinson will have been delighted in the manner at which his side snuffed out any threat of a miraculous Charlton comeback. Then, with ten minutes left on the clock, Smith powered a header in to earn his second and Wrexham’s third and send the fans – including Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – into raptures. The fans streamed onto the pitch as promotion to the Championship was confirmed.

Wrexham have become history makers. The Red Dragons have become the first side in the top five English divisions to earn three successive promotions. Parkinson has led the side from the National League all the way to the Championship.

Matty James pulled the strings at the heart of the Red Dragons midfield. He found Rathbone on the edge of the box for the opening goal before his beautifully weighted, lofted pass over the defence found Smith who fired in on the volley. An all-round performance from the experienced James.

Nathan Jones may well regret his pre-match comments. The Charlton boss added fuel to an already fiery promotion clash when he said: “We have to go to the circus and see what we can get." Now, coming away from the game with no points and automatic promotion now impossible, it is fair to say his comments have backfired.

The Championship. Wrexham have been promoted to the second division of English football and will no doubt have a busy summer as they set their sights on reaching the Premier League.