Wrexham still writing Hollywood script: Max Cleworth the hero again at Mansfield to keep promotion dreams alive – but Red Dragons pick up another serious injury

Phil Parkinson’s side were gifted a dream start at Field Mill, with Calum MacDonald inexplicably turning into his own net when trying to deal with a drilled cross from Ollie Rathbone. The creator of that goal clipped the post a few minutes later, before Jay Rodriguez fired straight at Stephen McLaughlin when presented with a sight of a net that was no longer guarded by a goalkeeper.

MacDonald was having the most eventful day, though, and he restored parity in the 16th minute when sliding in at the back post and recording Mansfield’s first goal on home soil since January 18. The game was severally disrupted by a concerning injury picked up by Wrexham midfielder Andy Cannon, with a lengthy delay to proceedings brought to a close when he was stretchered from the field wearing an oxygen mask.

Cleworth thought he had put the visitors back in front early in the second period but, after finding space 12 yards out, crashed a well-struck effort against the crossbar. He was not to be denied in the 58th minute when latching onto a pass on the edge of the box and drilling low into the bottom corner.

Record signing Sam Smith came agonisingly close to adding a third for Wrexham when straining to reach a cross that only required a touch from a matter of inches, but was unable to get his head to the ball. A couple of other half chances came and went before the full-time whistle blew.

The Red Dragons remain third in the League One table, as they continue to chase down a historic third successive promotion, but are just three points behind second-placed Wycombe. Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney provided the funds in January that helped to add greater depth to Parkinson’s squad, with an immediate return on that investment being sought.

Max Cleworth has been billed as a Premier League star of the future, and it is easy to see why. The 22-year-old can always be relied upon to give his all at both ends of the field. He has matured as a defender, while operating in a three-man centre-half unit, while also picking up a useful eye for goal. He registered his eighth effort of the season when helping to wrap up all three points against Mansfield. Cleworth finished with the aplomb of a prolific striker when thundering a first-time shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards out.

Harsh to bill Andy Cannon as a “loser”, but he was the most unfortunate player on the pitch. He had been brought back into a League One starting XI for the first time since January 16, but saw his afternoon cut painfully short. Cannon was tended to by medics on the field for several minutes, with it clear that he had suffered a serious knock. He required oxygen before being carried away for further attention. Wrexham may be without the 28-year-old for several weeks – having already had to contend with a number of fitness problems during the 2024-25 campaign.

Wrexham’s attention is about to turn to the pursuit of silverware and a possible day out at Wembley. They are set to face Peterborough in the Football League Trophy semi-finals on Wednesday, before playing host to Bolton next weekend – in what are shaping up to be two crucial fixtures for the Welsh outfit.