'One of the worst penalties!' - Wrexham star Jay Rodriguez reveals relief after scoring crucial winner as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side continue promotion push

The English forward, who joined the Red Dragons from Burnley in the January transfer window, scored his first-ever goal for the club as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side edged out Stockport 1-0 in a crucial League One fixture on Saturday. In the 29th minute, Wrexham won a penalty and Rodriguez stepped up to take the spot-kick. He saw his initial attempt stopped but the striker was quick to pounce on the rebound and score the winner.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the 35-year-old said: "The main thing is the three points, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about getting the goal. It's a nice relief. I've always said to myself that if I continue to work hard, keep improving in every training session, do my finishing and keep knuckling down, hopefully, it'll come good. "I've always had that belief, it's done good for me throughout my career so I won't change now. Hopefully, I can get on a run and help the team.

"I think it's probably one of the worst penalties I've ever taken to be honest, it was meant to go higher than that and into the corner. But fortunately, it bounced for me and I finished it. Hopefully, if I do take another one it'll go straight in."

The Welsh club are pushing for a third consecutive promotion as they dream of attaining direct qualification to the Championship. On the club's ambitions, Rodriguez added: "You have to dream big otherwise there's no point in turning up every day and working hard. The best place to be is in the Premier League. We've got eight really important games now. You can't look too far ahead but you can dream, but you have to take care of business.

"It's really admirable that the club's been from where it's been to be where it is now and it's still pushing now, it's something I'm really proud to be a part of. It's a big thing for me to leave my hometown club Burnley, it had to be a really big project, and obviously Wrexham is a massive project. To be asked to come along, I'm grateful for the opportunity. It had to be a big thing, and it was a good situation for all."

Phil Parkinson's side will be back in action next Saturday as they face Exeter City away from home in a League One clash.