As Wrexham continue their determined quest for a third consecutive promotion, it’s become clear that fine margins, gritty 1-0 victories and edge-of-the-seat finales are defining their season. It’s a campaign not for the faint-hearted — and certainly not for those with a weak nervous system.
Even co-owner Rob McElhenney couldn’t help but acknowledge the strain after Saturday’s tight win over Stockport County — the fourth 1-0 triumph in Wrexham’s last five league outings.
“I guess there are worse records to break than the one for most 1-0 victories,” he wrote on X. “But boy, is it terrible for the nervous system.”
McElhenney’s observation encapsulates the current mood in north Wales, where tension has become the norm. Jay Rodriguez’s rebound goal against Stockport, following up his own saved penalty, marked Wrexham’s tenth 1-0 win in League One this term — more than any other side in the division. Add in six more victories by a single-goal margin, and it’s clear Parkinson’s men are navigating one of the tightest promotion races in recent memory.
But these narrow scorelines aren’t part of a grand strategy. “It’s not a deliberate thing, with teams playing for them,” manager Phil Parkinson explains. “Any manager at 1-0 will be saying: ‘Let’s go get the second’. But teams at this level are well drilled and disciplined. It’s tough.”
Indeed, Parkinson points to the overall competitive balance in League One this season. Wrexham may be just one shy of their club record for 1-0 league wins with eight fixtures remaining, but they’re far from alone in their reliance on tight margins. Charlton Athletic (eight), Birmingham and Stevenage (seven apiece) are close behind, while several others have five to their name.
Wrexham’s recent run has included 1-0 wins over promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield Town, as well as Rotherham United and Stockport. Earlier in the season, a spate of five such victories in seven matches helped solidify their return to the third tier.
Notably, these wins have arrived through various means. Paul Mullin struck after just 16 seconds in the win at Rotherham, forcing Wrexham to defend their lead for virtually an entire match. At home against Barnsley and Peterborough, it took late goals from Ollie Rathbone and Steven Fletcher respectively to break the deadlock.
Parkinson is quick to dismiss any notion of his side settling once ahead. Referencing Saturday’s win over Stockport, he highlights missed chances by Rathbone and Sam Smith even before Brad Hills’ red card handed Wrexham a numerical advantage.
“We had chances at 1-0 to make it two,” Parkinson says. “But we didn’t take them. Our message if we’re ahead at half-time is always: ‘Go get that second goal and kill the game off’. That’s what we were trying to do right up until the end. We had the best chances to get that second goal, and that showed we weren’t settling.”
It’s a familiar story in British football — the knife-edge tension of holding a slender lead — and one that former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson famously termed “squeaky bum time”. The phrase, coined during the Premier League title run-in of 2002-03, has become part of the footballing lexicon, used to describe the mounting pressure as games, and seasons, reach their decisive moments.
McElhenney, whose affection for the term blossomed during last season’s gripping National League battle with Notts County, referenced it again in an interview with S4C: “That is a great way to describe exactly what it feels like… we all feel very confident, but you never know because football is a crazy sport.”
Those words ring truer than ever. Wrexham’s recent 1-0 wins over Wycombe, Stockport and Huddersfield all saw their opponents mount late assaults in search of an equaliser, only to be denied by Arthur Okonkwo and a steadfast back line.
Their defensive resilience has been remarkable. Wrexham lead League One in clean sheets with 19 from 38 matches. Leaders Birmingham follow with 18, while Charlton and Stevenage have 17 and 16 respectively. Their defensive overperformance is also backed by the numbers. According to Opta, Wrexham’s expected goals against (xGA) stands at 40.25, yet they’ve conceded only 30 — the best differential in the division.
Such figures underline the team’s extraordinary ability to keep opponents at bay, even as games hang in the balance. Of their 22 wins, 16 have come by a single goal, reinforcing the notion that this promotion charge is being fuelled by discipline, belief, and an iron will.
“We’ve displayed a good mentality all season,” Parkinson insists. “A real determination to see the job through by keeping our concentration levels high. We do always push for that second goal, but when you don’t take the chances, you have to show you’re strong and resolute. I really did think we were excellent in that area last Saturday.”
The results may evoke memories of George Graham’s Arsenal side, known for their relentless stream of 1-0 wins during the late ’80s and early ’90s. But while that Gunners team made a virtue of the scoreline, Wrexham’s are more a by-product of the league’s dogged competitiveness.
Even so, history offers a note of caution. Wrexham clocked up 11 1-0 wins during the 2018-19 National League season, yet still finished fourth and fell short in the play-offs. In League One’s current format, only three of the eight clubs to register 10 or more 1-0 wins in a single season have gone on to finish in the top two.
Asked how he copes during those final, heart-pounding moments, Parkinson reveals his mind is fixed firmly on the details.
“I’m always really focused, always thinking about possible changes,” he says. “Against Stockport on Saturday, we put Jack Marriott on. You’re allowed three entries with subs, so that was it. Part of my thinking is judging when to make that third entry, as you don’t want to go too early in case of injuries and end up with 10 men.
“Sometimes, you’re so absorbed in all these things that you’re oblivious to the atmosphere or any tension in the stands. Only once the whistle goes does everything open up in your mind.”
For Wrexham fans, that final whistle can’t come quickly enough these days. But if the squeaky-bum tension continues to yield points, few will be complaining — at least not once the heart rate returns to normal.
