Wrexham 3-2 Notts County summary: score, goals, highlights, Vanarama National League

FT: Wrexham 3-2 Notts County

What a game !

What a game of football.... drama, goals and an amazing advertisement for the fifth tier of English football.

A rather uninspiring first half came to live in the second 45 minutes with four goals as Paul Mullin was instrumental in the win for Wrexham.

Veteran keeper Ben Foster was the hero for the Red Dragons with the 40-year-old saving a 97th minute penalty kick that would have seen County take a point that would have kept their push to secure automatic promotion alive.

As it is, big smiles were visible in the director's box as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrated the famous win.  

Welcome to Wrexham !

The whistle sounds and Wrexham win.

What a game !

The Notts County man sees his penalty saved by Foster.

You could not make this up. What a stop by Foster.

Scott to take....

Good spot from the ref and that was a handball by O'Connel.

The whistle sounds and has the ref just awarded a spot kick for Notts County?

County running out of ideas now as they look to launch speculative balls into the Wrexham box but with little to bother the home side.

Mullin is gifted a great chance but the striker is ponderous and earns a corner and sees precious time tick down.

We'll have six minutes of stoppage time.

We're into the 90th minute. Is there another goal in what has been a crazy second half?

Wrexham almost seal it with a fourth game as Slocombe delivers a great save to keep Dolby at bay.

It's the Wrexham fans making all the noise now as they can sense that a massive win is just minutes away ... top of the table, three points clear and with a game in hand. Surely Wrexham can't let it slip ....

Wrexham sub:

Young replaces Cannon

Just seven minutes remain as players start to cramp up now... More switches planned for the home side.

Lee puts Red Dragons ahead

The man from Durham may be the hero of the day for Wrexham but what poor defending from Notts County. 

Just when County got back on terms, a mix up at the back from Bajrami gifts the ball to Mullin who feeds Lee and the 28-year-old slots past Slocombe.

Wrexham back on top of the table once again.

Scott on for Rodrigues (Notts County switch)

Nemane off for Jones (Notts County)

It's been a real under par performance from Langstaff today, so much written about the striker from the North East as Cameron goes close and Foster punches clear. 

Again, a good response from County as Austin forces Foster to save again. 

Wrexham 2-1 Notts Co.

Mendy scores as Elliot Lee is carded for Wrexham.

Wrexham switch:

Palmer off with Dalby his replacement

Wrexham now back on top of the table !

20 minutes to go.

Switch for County:

O'Brien off with Austin his replacement

Palmer adjudged to be offside again ....once again the linesman gets it wrong.

And now Matthew Palmer is carded as he clips Cannon.

Mendy carded as he hauls Langstaff back.

O'Connell drives the bar off the bar and Wrexham are on the up now. A few Tozer throws causing tension at the back for County.

Luke Williams does look the more relaxed of the two managers with Parkinson edge and anxious looking on the touch line.

Mullin breaks and fires but drives the ball straight at Slocombe.

County have responded well from the goal and are dominating possession once again and certainly look like the more positive team.

Portuguese player Rodrigues has to leave the action as the player loses a tooth and will need medical attention.

What a start from Wrexham as the immediately bounce back and the goal has ignited the Racecourse Ground. 

County challenging the goal as Mullin seems to have fouled Bajrami on the way to slotting home. 

Wrexham manager Parkinson carded for contesting a decision.

A big test of character for Phil Parkinson's men now as a defeat at home to County would be key in handing the morale advantage to the men from Nottingham. 

Second 45' underway with Wrexham starting the action.

The players take to the pitch ahead of the second half.

Wrexham need to shake off the shackles and nerves as the men in red have shown little in the first 45' with the visitors looking m more comfortable.

We've seen very little from Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer upfront for the Red Dragons with the Welsh side yet to muster a shot on target.

County stun the Racecourse Ground on stroke of half time

An excellent free kick from Bostock in added time has ignited the game after a tense half with limited clear cut goalscoring chances for both teams.

We've seen little from Mullin and Langstaff but both sides clearly playing under plenty of pressure.

Wonderful strike from the 31-year-old with a perfect left footed effort leaving Foster with no chance.

Jones trips Rodrigues and County have an excellent chance at the end of the half. 

Just outside the box and very central.

Bostock over the ball with O'Brien close to the ball too. 

Caution very much the key word here today at the Racecourse Ground with neither side prepared to throw caution to the wind.

Last minute of the game with no breakthrough for either side as the fourth official confirms that three minutes will be added.

Paul Mullin now carded as he lunges at a man in black and white.

Into the final minutes of the half with clear cut chances very much at a premium. Notts County enjoying the better of the contest.

Rawlinson elbows Palmer and the County defender is the second name in the book.

The Magpies will need to be alert as Wrexham have a decent free kick. Mullin to take....The striker shoots but blazes well over.

First time we've seen the Tozer long throw this afternoon. The 33-year-old able to get incredible distance on the ball and a series of goals coming for the Red Dragons from a throw from the Wrexham man.

Real end to end stuff now with both teams breaking with verve and pace.

County probably shading the contest despite the lack of goals.

Foster saves well as County press. 

First time we've seen the veteran stopper called upon this afternoon.

O'Connor is carded as he clips Rodrigues with the Irish midfielder the first name taken this afternoon.

Possession after half an hour:

Wrexham 47-53 Notts County (%)

A long lofted ball finds Mullin and the striker collides with Slocombe and looks for a penalty. The referee, once again waves the appeal away and this long ball is Wrexham's main threat.

Flag up once again as Mullin strays offside. 

The same flag is up and this time it's Palmer who is adjudged to have strayed. 

County's high line is a dangerous game with no VAR to be called upon should there be a dubious decision.

Notts County playing a high line and managing to catch Mullin and Ollie Palmer offside on a number of occasions.

Just a reminder that the Vanarama National League is the fifth tier of the English pyramid and considered as non-league football with the 'professional' game officially starting in League 2 which is in the Football League. 

Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two being the four sides at the top of the game,

Just that possible Wrexham penalty as the main talking point as we pass the twenty minute of the game.

The sun is out again in Wrexham but we've yet to see main strikers Mullin (Wrexham) or Langstaff (County) shine yet in today's contest. The bulk of the game is being played in the centre of the park.

Notts County are certainly undaunted by the occasion as when the Magpies enjoy spells of possession, they look very comfortable on the ball.

Plenty of intensity to the start of the contest but as things stand little to bother either keeper as Wrexham appeal for a spot kick as Mullin is upended but nothing doing for today's match official.

Cameron did look to have pushed the striker but at this level of the pyramid, there is no VAR. 

Palmer is looking lively for Wrexham today with the Epson born striker drafted back into the side to partner Paul Mullin.

The blue skies earlier have given way to dark, leaden skies with the first drops of rain starting to fall in Wrexham.

First corner of the game goes the way for the visitors who opt to go short but make a mess of the set play.

Intensity on the face of Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

13 times this season, the lead at the top of the Vanarama National League has switched hands between Wrexham and Notts County.

A tentative start from both teams as the players just look to ease their way into the action and hope that the occasion is not too overwhelming.

Palmer finds Mullin as the home side press. A heavy touch from the No. 10 and the move breaks down.

Off we go... Wrexham looking to secure a foothold in the Football League after 15 years in Non-League.

County too a former top flight side and the side from Nottingham have come close in recent years just falling short in the playoffs.

Wrexham with a 3-4-1-2 formation...County with their traditional 3-5-2 as the game will be preceded with a minute of applause for a County director who passed away recently.

The teams are in the tunnel with a look of apprehension and nervous tension with so much at stake in today's game.

County in black and white with Wrexham in their traditional red shirts.

So, a place in the Football League is on the line with both sides tied at the top of the table on 100 points with the side from Nottingham on top by virtue of a better goal difference.

Both Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are present hoping to see their side record the win that would push the team closer to the finish line. 

Rob McElhenney looking for Mullin goals

Will we hear a rendition of 'Super Paul Mullin' today?

Will the Merseysider be on target for the home side? 

Fans packing into the 15,000 capacity Racecourse Ground as kick-off looms.... 

How do we see this one going today?

Red Dragons or the Magpies, goals from Mullin or Langstaff? 

SOCCER

What league are Wrexham in? Could they play in the Premier League?

Wrexham's lofty ambitions

The Racecourse Ground is a three sided ground at present as the redevelopmnent of the old Kop stand is underway.

The general consensus from the pre game pundits is that the pressure is on County to win today. Wrexham have home advantage today and do have that game in hand but a win for the Magpies would be a major morale boost for the side from Nottingham.

Luke Williams names his XI

Jodi Jones starts on the bench for County with the Magpies faithful looking to the goals of Macaulay Langstaff against the Wrexham defence.

Notts County dressing room is ready

The Magpies will be wearing their traditional black and white stripes today for the top of the table clash with Wrexham set to wear their classic red shirts, white socks and shorts.

Wrexham XI confirmed

Phil Parkinson names his side that will face the Magpies at the Racecourse Ground this afternoon.

All eyes will be on striker Paul Mullin and his goalscoring boots.

The Notts County and Juventus connection

Every wondered why Juventus wear black and white stripes? Look no further than Notts Co. !

Juve originally wore pink shirts but had issues with the colour fading so in 1903, Juventus asked one of their team members, Englishman John Savage, if he had any contacts in England who could supply new shirts in a colour that would better withstand the elements. He had a friend who lived in Nottingham, who being a Notts County supporter, shipped out the black and white striped shirts to Turin...the rest is, as they say bianconeri history.

Mullin on 34 strikes for the Red Dragons

Second placed in the top scorer ranking is Wrexham striker Paul Mullin with the Liverpool native having bagged 34 goals this season for the Welsh outfit.

The Mullin vs Longstaff match-up will be fascinating today and their prowess in front of goal could be instrumental in deciding the contest.

Macaulay Langstaff...remember the name

The 26-year-old has been dubbed the Erling Haaland of the Vanarama National League with the 26-year-old having found the net a record 41times this season for The Magpies with his goals instrumental in County's phenomenal run this season.

Who's watching the 'Bank Holiday' blockbuster?

The last meeting between these sides at the Racecourse was back in August 2021 when the clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

With a game in hand, one senses Phil Parkinson and his Wrexham side would settle for a point today.

Wrexham vs Notts County preview

Who would have thought that a Wrexham-Notts County ‘non-league’ fixture could generate global interest?

This is very much the end product of the ‘Wrexham effect’ after the club was acquired a few years back by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds with their Disney + documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ putting the club on the map with a new legion of fans supporting the club in all corners of the world.

(The documentary is excellent viewing and well worth tracking down, by the way).

Today's game is certainly set to play a key role when the second series airs later in the year but will the season end in a Hollywood ending or will we witness the drama and pain that the Welsh club endured last season as they fell short in the playoff losing to Grimsby. 

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Despite having a game in hand, Wrexham know that their loss at Halifax has put the ball back in County’s court.

Manager Phil Parkinson says it’s not a nightmare game for the club to try and put the Halifax horror show behind them - in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The stage is set in North Wales

A dramatic showdown awaits as the two runaway sides in the league meet on Easter Monday.

Wrexham slipped up at the weekend, surprising many with a 3-1 loss at Halifax with County regaining top spot with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Wealdstone and it’s the side from Nottingham who sit on top of the table on goal difference from the side from Wales.

With just five games to go in the regular season for Wrexham (four for Notts County), today’s meeting at the Racecourse Ground is not just a six-pointer but the outcome is set to potentially determine which side automatically advances to play in League Two next season.

National League: as things stand

Things couldn't be any tighter at the top of the Vanarama National League with just one side securing automatic promotion to League 2 or the fourth tier of the English game.

Wrexham and County have dominated the division and only one side can advance, with the other having to endure the lottery of the playoffs. A hard route as Wrexham are well aware as they fell short last season in the final game.

The action from the Racecourse Ground gets underway at 3pm (local time) / 4pm (CEST) / 10am (ET) or 7am (PT) or Hollywood time !

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Wrexham vs Notts County on this Easter Monday blockbuster of a game with both sides tied on 100 points at the top of the Vanarama National League.