Wrexham beat Stockport to go top of the National League

Phil Parkinson's side went into the top of the table clash knowing they needed victory to remain in the hunt for automatic promotion while the Hatters would have clinched the crown with an away success.

Despite making a slow start, the Reds rose to the occasion and claimed a win to go level on points with Stockport but take over as leaders by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Wrexham finish the season with Sunday's trip to play-off hopefuls while Stockport have a game in hand at home to Torquay on Wednesday before playing host to fourth placed Halifax Town next weekend.

The Hatters are favourites for the title but Wrexham did everything asked of them in front of more than 10,100 supporters at The Racecourse to keep the pressure on their rivals.

Although the aim is to finish in first place, the Reds head to Dagenham knowing they are guaranteed a top three finish and will be at home in the play-off semi-finals, and avoid an eliminator tie, if they are pipped at the post by Stockport.

But it's game on as far as Wrexham concerned in a bit to clinch automatic promotion but the Reds will be hoping Torquay do them a big favour before the final day of the regular season.

Whatever happens on Wednesday when Stockport face the Gulls, the Reds will still have a lot to play for at Dagenham when the title will still be on the line.

Parkinson named the same side that started the 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood in the previous outing six days earlier.

It was a cagey opening and Wrexham goalkeeper Christian Dibble made the first save of the game in the 10th minute when he got down low to keep out Myles Hippolyte's drive.

Wrexham were sloppy in possession but Stockport were unable to capitalise, although the Reds had a let-off when Antoni Sarcevic's goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Max Cleworth.

The Hatters were on top and another Sarcevic shot was gathered by Dibble but Wrexham began to come more into the game and had a couple of chances of their own.

Paul Mullin's tried his luck with an overhead kick after the visitors struggled to clear Ben Tozer's long throw-in but the striker's spectacular effort was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe.

From the resulting corner, Max Cleworth headed wide of the target but Wrexham were given a let-off when Elliott Newby's pass reached Paddy Madden who fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

However, Wrexham took the lead in the 34th minute.

Tozer launched a customary long throw-in into the danger zone and Palmer headed home.

Wrexham continued to press and Mullin's snap-shot from an acute angle was parried by Hinchliffe, but the Reds made it 2-0 in first half injury-time.

Mullin raced onto Jordan Davies' brilliant through-ball and the Reds' leading scorer slotted past Hinchliffe to register his 30th goal of the season.

It got even better for Wrexham who scored a third goal two minutes into the second half.

Davies sent in a free-kick from the right and Palmer nodded home his second goal of the game.

There was no let-up from Wrexham who saw Mullin get in front of a defender and fire wide, while Madden blasted over the bar from a good position for the beleaguered Hatters and Hippolyte couldn't keep his free-kick down.

Davies went close with a free-kick for Wrexham while Parkinson made his first change with four minutes to do as Tom O'Connor replaced Davies.

Tozer brought a save out of Hinchliffe before Jordan Ponticelli took over from Palmer in added time, with supporters giving Wrexham a thoroughly deserved ovation when the final whistle went.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Dibble; Hosannah, French, Tozer, Cleworth, McFadzean; James Jones, Young, Davies (O'Connor 86); Mullin, Palmer (Ponticelli 90). Subs: Camp, McAlinden, Jarvis.

Stockport County (5-3-2): Hinchliffe; Newby, Keane, Palmer, Hogan, Rydel (Crankshaw 65); Sarcevic, Croasdale, Hippolyte; Quigley (Jennings 46), Madden. Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Cannon, Francis-Angol.

Attendance: 10,118 (1,214 from Stockport).