STEVE WATKIN played alongside one Racecourse superstar and he’s enjoyed watching another legend-in-the-making help Wrexham challenge for the National League title.

Watkin came through the ranks at his home-town club and formed a potent partnership with Gary Bennett, with the duo helping Brian Flynn’s side clinch promotion from Division Three in the 1992-93 season.

Fast forward 30 years and Paul Mullin has been banging in the goals for fun as Phil Parkinson’s men fight it out with Notts County for a place in the Football League.

“The only possible difference you’d take from both of them is that Benno did it a couple of leagues higher up,” said Watkin.

“It is difficult to choose between them who is the better player but I think they will both go down as Wrexham legends.”

Bennett arrived at The Racecourse on a free-transfer from arch-rivals Chester City in the summer of 1992 and was a huge hit, scoring 23 goals in all competitions during his first season at The Racecourse as the Reds were promoted to Division Two after finishing as runners-up to Cardiff City.

Watkin ended the campaign with 21 goals - 18 in the league - as the pair hit it off in attack.

There was no stopping Bennett who bagged 39 goals in 1993-94 and he found the back of the net 47 times the following season before leaving in the summer of 1995.

“Obviously I have got first hand experience of playing with Benno,” said Watkin.

“We worked well together.

“He was probably 29 or 30, I was around 21 so there was a bit of an age-gap but it worked fantastic.

“Not just us two, we had good players also in the team. It was a good time to be involved with the club in the 1990s.

“For three years Benno was superb, his goalscoring was unbelievable.

“I suppose it raised a few eyebrows at the time when he came on a free transfer from Chester but he definitely proved his worth.”

Mullin joined Wrexham in the summer of 2021 from Cambridge United where he had been in fantastic form.

In his first campaign with the Reds, Mullin finished leading scorer with 32 goals to scoop the Player of the Season award as well as the National League’s golden boot and Player of the Season gong.

The 28-year-old has picked up where he left off this season and has bagged 40 goals in all competitions, earning praise from Watkin for his all-round game.

“I’ve not missed many games this season and last season and Paul has been brilliant,” said Watkin.

“Not just his goals but his work-rate for the team, he never stops running.

“He has been a major part of the success we’ve had this season.”

Leaders Wrexham are unbeaten in 26 league outings and Watkin added: “The team has got momentum.

“They are on a great run, they have been on a great run all season and have not dropped many points.

“Notts County have been carrying fantastic standards as well all through season and it’s a two-horse race but hopefully we can do it.”