WREXHAM overcame Barnsley 1-0 to make it three home wins in row a row in the space of 11 days.

Fresh after beating Lincoln City and Exeter City in League One, Phil Parkinson's men made it a hat-trick of victories at The Racecourse but they left it late against the Tykes.

Ollie Rathbone struck in the third minute of injury time to secure three points for the Reds who boast the best home record in the third tier.

Victory keeps Wrexham second in the table but now only two points behind leaders Wycombe Wanderers who drew 2-2 at Exeter.

With Wrexham winning the last two games, it was no surprise to see Parkinson name the same side for the third game in a row.

And there was also a place on the substitutes bench for fit-again striker Steven Fletcher who last played in the 1-0 win at Rotherham on October 19 but has recovered from a knee injury.

Barnsley made a bright start and ex-Reds attacker Davis Keillor-Dunn saw a shot blocked on the edge of the area with Adam Phillips' follow-up falling wide.

Although the Tykes were having a lot of possession, there was a chance for Wrexham after James McClean got the better of opposite wing-back Corey O'Keeffe.

Although Barnsley cleared McClean's cross, the Reds won the ball back and Ryan Barnett's left-footed drive was parried by goalkeeper Ben Killip.

Wrexham were dealt a blow in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Callum Burton was forced off with an injury and had to be replaced by Mark Howard.

Barnsley were having the better of it and making good use of the ball and after winning a corner which was taken by Luca Connell, Jonathan Russell headed wide for the visitors.

Although Barnsley had dominated the game, Wrexham ended the first half strongly.

The Reds almost broke the deadlock when Ollie Palmer nodded the ball down for Matty James whose first-time shot from 25 yards was palmed away by Killip.

The pressure was kept on following the corner and McClean's cross from the right was headed over by Palmer.

It was much better from Wrexham and Palmer raced onto Max Cleworth's ball over the top and took a touch but couldn't keep his effort down as it remained goalless at the break.

Wrexham went straight on the attack when the second half kicked off and Elliot Lee's low drive was comfortably gathered by Killip.

Although Barnsley had a good spell, they weren't creating anything and Wrexham came close at the other end.

Max Cleworth exchanged passes with Barnett and his effort was tipped around the post by Killip who produced another fine save when he tipped Lee's 20-yard effort over the bar.

Barnsley responded with Phillips' drive kept out by Howard and after Fletcher and Paul Mullin came on for Palmer and Lee, the Wrexham keeper did well to turn Fabio Jalo's shot over the bar.

The game hung in the balance and Mullin's curling effort was saved by Killip while Fletcher wasn't far away with a first time shot which went inches wide.

But Wrexham scored the winner in the 93rd minute.

Eoghan O'Connell picked out Rathbone who ran at goal and fired past Killip to secure a hard-fought win.

Wrexham (3-5-2): Burton (Howard 22); Cleworth, O'Connell, Brunt; Barnett, Dobson (Cannon 90), James, Rathbone, McClean; Lee (Mullin 68), Palmer (Fletcher 68). Subs not used: Scarr, Revan, Faal.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip; De Gevigney, Roberts, Earl; O'Keeffe (Lofthouse 87), Phillips, Russell, Connell, Gent (Pines 75); Humphrys (Jalo 66), Keillor-Dunn (Cosgrove 87). Subs not used: Smith, Graig, Nwakali.

Attendance: 12,386 (1,242 from Barnsley).