Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson hailed Paul Mullin’s “brilliant” return to the starting line-up after he grabbed the only goal in the win at Rotherham United.

Mullin, who has plundered more than a century of goals for Wrexham over the past three seasons, was handed only his second league start this term after leading marksman Jack Marriott broke his fibula in training.

But he took just 16 seconds to make his mark, getting on the end of an excellent right-wing cross into the six-yard from Ryan Barnett to net his first league goal of the campaign.

It ended Wrexham’s run of five straight defeats against Rotherham – stretching back to 1997 – with Parkinson saying: “It was an outstanding cross from Barney and a brilliant finish from Mulls, who did what he’s done time and time for us.

“We all know he’s a great player with an ability to score all types of goals and I’m really pleased for him.

“He’s started four games this season, including in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and scored three goals, so that’s still a really, really good record and his all-round performance was brilliant.

“There’s a lot of expectancy on Paul because of what he’s done for us as a club but he’s come back into the team firing and played a big part in a gritty, resilient away performance.”