PHIL PARKINSON wanted players to step up to the plate at such a crucial stage of the season to give Wrexham's League Two promotion push a boost and he couldn't have been happier that it was Max Cleworth who obliged.

Wrexham came from behind to beat Colchester United 2-1 at The JobServe Community Stadium and climb up to second in League Two with four games remaining in the quest for a top-three finish.

Although Colchester, battling to avoid relegation, took the lead early in the second half Paul Mullin put the Reds quickly back on level terms when he netted his 100th goal for the club.

There was an unlikely hero as young centre-back Cleworth, who has been in outstanding form recently keeping out the opposition, scored his first league goal to secure Wrexham a valuable victory and Parkinson couldn't hide his delight.

"I am so pleased for Max," said the Reds' boss.

"I said to the lads in there, at this stage of the season it is about producing moments of inspiration and stepping up to the plate when it is needed the most, and Max has done that.

"That is what it is all about. It is about producing that moment which really gives us a lift and that is what Max did."

Cleworth scored in Wrexham's 5-0 FA Trophy win against Gloucester City in December 2021 and Parkinson felt it was only a matter of time before he opened his account in the league.

"Max is so athletic, he is so good in the air and he has got a great strike on him," he said.

"The goal has been a long time coming for Max and I am so pleased he has got it.

"His all-round performances have been great but when we look at him in training, that goal is going to come because he is such a good finisher.

"He is a great striker of the ball, he is a fantastic header of the ball; when it doesn't come, maybe you don't anticipate it as quickly but he has done today and that will be the first of many."

Going behind sparked Wrexham into life and Parkinson hailed the response from his players.

"I thought the lads responded really well to going a goal down," said Parkinson.

"It is a difficult place to come, Colchester have done well here and drainage problems have brought the pitch in and made it really tight, and the game does have a different feel to it.

"We prepared for it but it is difficult and it took us a while to adapt.

"It was all about character today, we went a goal down and we responded brilliantly..

"Colchester's results are a lot better than the league position suggests and once again we've had to dig deep and show that Wrexham resilience which we're renowned for."