PHIL PARKINSON praised Paul Mullin for playing through the pain barrier after the striker netted his 100th goal for Wrexham in a 2-1 comeback win against Colchester United which keeps the Reds on track for automatic promotion from League Two.

The 29-year-old has been nursing a hamstring problem but was passed fit for Saturday's clash at The JobServe Community Stadium where the relegation-threatened U's took the lead early in the second half.

But the setback roared Wrexham into life and Mullin, who arrived at The Racecourse from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021, bagged his 21st goal of the campaign when he headed home Ryan Barnett's cross.

Max Cleworth was the match-winner, with the centre-back netting his first league goal for the club five minutes from time, but Parkinson was delighted to see Mullin become a centurion after under three full seasons in a Wrexham shirt.

"Barney produced a bit of magic with a fantastic, pin-point cross and Mulls was there where you want him," said Parkinson.

"He had a problem leading into the game and we were a little bit concerned about him on Friday.

"He had a scan on his hamstring so he was a bit touch and go.

"I had a chat with on Saturday morning, he said he was good at dealing with the pain!

"Players strapping themselves up and just getting out there, you need that and especially at this stage of the season.

"It was a good finish and 100 goals is a great achievement."

Victory took Wrexham up to second, still four points behind leaders Stockport and two ahead of MK Dons in third, while Mansfield dropped to fourth after losing 4-1 at home to play-off contenders Crawley - who visit The Racecourse tomorrow - and are three adrift of the Reds.

Parkinson hailed the reaction after going behind and he wants more of the same fighting spirit in the final four games as Wrexham aim to secure a top-three finish.

"It is all about keep sticking at it and when we got control of the game after that first goal, they couldn't get out of their own half," added the Reds' boss.

"We passed it well, we got in some great positions and we deserved the win in the end.

"We didn't panic when we conceded a goal, we kept cool and we got back in it, and that is what we are going to need for the remainder of the season."