No Paul Mullin! Wrexham star gets ‘stick’ for goal celebration – with Max Cleworth keeping promotion champagne on ice for Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney

The 21-year-old is in Phil Parkinson’s side to keep opponents out, with his defensive qualities being put to good use. He did, however, make a crucial contribution at the opposite end of the field when netting a dramatic winner in a 2-1 victory over Colchester.

Said effort was Cleworth’s first in league action, and first of any kind since finding the target against Gloucester City in an FA Trophy tie back in December 2021, and he concedes that scoring does not come naturally. Cleworth has said: “It's definitely not a feeling I have been used to! I was more buzzing with the three points than the goal because it was a massive step for us. I have been banging on about that goal in the Trophy for probably three years! To finally get one in the league after a few years... obviously I have had chances and it is something I need to work on. I was buzzing to score, it has been a long time coming for a league goal and it was a really good feeling. I wanted to contribute in a positive way and help the team more than anything, personally with my performance and try to be the best I can, but if I can contribute with goals then that is what I am aiming to do. I am not in the box all the time but it just found my head and I will take it. I've had a bit of stick for not scoring so it was nice to get one.”

Cleworth added on the flak that he has taken for a supposedly disappointing celebration: “I was right behind it and could see it going in all the way. The celebration was the worst part. I'm not sure what I did but apparently it wasn't very good! I've had stick for that so it's something I need to work on.”

Wrexham did not need Cleworth to dig them out of a hole against Crawley in their latest fixture, as Mullin bagged a brace in a 4-1 win, and they have just three games left this season in which to try and wrap up a top-three finish in League Two – with more promotion-winning champagne on ice for Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.