STEVEN FLETCHER scored a hat-trick as Wrexham kicked off 2024 with a brilliant 4-1 victory against promotion rivals Barrow at The Racecourse.

It was a meeting between the teams who began the day sitting third and fourth in the League Two table but Wrexham ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Barrow took the lead with just over 30 seconds on the clock but Wrexham turned things around brilliantly to lead 3-1 at the break.

The Reds scored three times inside five of the 15 minutes of first-ha;f injury time to take control of the contest.

That left Barrow up against it and Fletcher completed his hat-trick midway through the second period to complete a brilliant comeback.

It was the ideal response to losing 3-1 at Walsall in the previous outing on Friday night and keeps Wrexham third in the standings, two points behind leaders Stockport who lost 2-0 at home to Mansfield, and the Reds also have a game in hand.

Parkinson made three changes from the side that started the defeat at Walsall in the final game of a memorable 2023 which saw Wrexham clinch the National League title and return to the Football League following a 15-year absence.

Anthony Forde replaced Jacob Mendy in the right wing-back position while George Evans, back after completing a three-game suspension, took over from Luke Young as the holding midfielder.

The other change was in attack where Fletcher was preferred to Sam Dalby who was named among the substitutes.

There was also a place on the bench for James Jones who, like fellow midfielder Evans, was available after completing a one-match ban.

Wrexham got off to a worst possible start as Barrow took the lead after only 33 seconds.

The Reds' defence failed to deal with Elliot Newby's cross into the area and an unmarked Kian Spence slotted home.

Andy Cannon's low drive was gathered by goalkeeper Paul Farman as Wrexham got their first sight of goal and Paul Mullin's header was well held by the Barrow stopper following Max Cleworth's ball into the danger-zone.

Barrow's David Worrall was injured as he challenged for the cross and was stretchered off following a lengthy injury break.

When the action resumed, Fletcher's deflected shot was comfortably saved by Farman after a good spell of keep-ball by Wrexham.

At the other end, Tom White's 25 yard drive was well saved by Okonkwo who also did well to deny Ben Whitfield.

But Wrexham levelled in the ninth minute of injury time.

Fletcher played a one-two with Mullin and slotted into the bottom corner from inside the area.

It got even better for Wrexham who went 2-1 up two minutes later.

Elliot Lee was fouled by White and Mullin scored with a stunning 20-yard free-kick that Farman was unable to keep out.

Just two minutes later and Wrexham took a 3-1 lead.

James McClean sent in a corner and Fletcher timed his run to perfection as he scored with a free header at the back post.

Wrexham were in charge at the break but there was another injury break early in the second half following a clash of heads between McClean and Luce Stephenson, who was stretchered off.

Mullin fired into the side-netting and there was no let-up from Wrexham who made it 4-1 on 67 minutes.

Lee played the ball out to Forde who crossed to the back-post where Fletcher headed home.

There was no let-up from Wrexham and Lee brought a brilliant save out of Farman who did well to thwart Forde with a fine double block.

Dean Campbell hit the post for Barrow early in the 11 minutes of added time but the Bluebirds were well beaten in the end.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Okonkwo; Forde, Cleworth, Tozer, O'Connor (Boyle 90), McClean (Mendy 69); Cannon (Jones 77), Evans, Lee (Davies 87); Mullin (Barnett 90), Fletcher (Dalby 69). Subs not used: Howard, Boyle.

Barrow (5-3-2): Farman; Worrall (Stephenson 21, Ogungbo 56), Chester, Ray, Canavan, Newby; Spence (Telford 81), White, Foley; Whitfield (Campbell 72), Acquah (Proctor 72). Sub not used: Lillis.

Attendance: 12,323 (1,018 from Barrow).