PHIL PARKINSON says Wrexham and Mansfield deserve credit for being involved in a top of a table clash in League One so soon after clinching promotion together.

The clubs went straight up after finishing in the top-three in League Two last term and meet again at The Racecourse tomorrow with the third placed Reds currently one point ahead of Nigel Clough's Stags who sit fourth in the table.

The game has been selected for live television coverage by Sky Sports+, with a 12,30pm kick-off, and Parkinson says it is the perfect fixture as Wrexham aim to bounce back after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Harrogate Town last weekend.

"When you lose it hurts. I don't think there is any other way you can describe it," said the Reds' boss about the 1-0 first round defeat to the League Two outfit.

"We wanted to do well in the FA Cup but once it has happened, there is not much you can do to change the result.

"All we can do is look forward positively, move on and get ready for league action at the weekend.

"What a fantastic game for us. Live on television, 12.30pm kick-off, against one of our old adversaries from last year who are going well, and it's a top of the table clash.

"For this game to be classed as a top of the table clash at this stage of the season is great tribute to both ourselves and Mansfield because we have both took to a very strong division really well.

"Both teams have got momentum from last season and we have both started the season really well. 

"We would look forward to playing Mansfield anyway because of our rivalry with them last year but the fact that we are both in and around the top six is great and adds that extra bit of spice to the game."

Wrexham were unbeaten in three matches against Mansfield last season, winning 2-0 at home after a goalless draw at Field Mill, while Parkinson's men also triumphed 2-1 in an FA Cup first round tie in Nottinghamshire.

"We had three good games against them last year. Really competitive games and this will be no different," added the Reds' boss.

"They are always tight matches against Nigel's teams, they have got momentum like ourselves and it will be a cracking game."