Wrexham AFC secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sutton United in the League Two match at the Racecourse Ground on Wednesday night. The hosts scored two stunning goals from Paul Mullin and Elliott Lee to cancel out Aiden O’Brien’s equaliser for the visitors.
Mullin breaks the deadlock with a superb strike
The match started with both teams looking for an early breakthrough, but it was Wrexham who took the lead in the 14th minute. Mullin, who is among the league’s top strikers, found some space just outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the far corner of the net, leaving Dean Bouzanis with no chance.
Sutton tried to respond with some pressure of their own, and came close to levelling the score seven minutes before half time. O’Brien, who was making his debut for the club, volleyed just wide from the edge of the box after a good lay-off from Craig Clay.
However, Wrexham had more chances to extend their lead before the interval, as Mullin broke free on the right but his low cross was missed by Ollie Palmer. Bouzanis then made two good saves to deny Ryan Barnett and Palmer again.
O’Brien scores on his debut to equalise for Sutton
The second half saw Sutton come out with more intent and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 58th minute. Smith, who had also joined Sutton on loan from Millwall, delivered a perfect cross from the right and O’Brien headed it home with a superb finish.
Sutton enjoyed the better of things after the goal, and Clay had a chance to put them ahead when he volleyed wide after another assist from O’Brien. Wrexham, however, were not ready to give up and they brought on some fresh legs to change the game.
Lee scores a late winner for Wrexham with a stunning volley
One of Wrexham’s substitutes, Jacob Mendy, almost made an immediate impact when he clipped the top of the crossbar with a dipping long range shot. The hosts then increased their pressure on Sutton’s goal and forced some desperate blocks from the defenders.
But Sutton’s resistance was finally broken in the 88th minute, when a cleared corner fell to Lee, who had also come off the bench. The former Luton Town forward struck a volley that flew through a crowded penalty area and past Bouzanis into the net.
It was a cruel blow for Sutton, who had battled hard for a point and deserved some appreciation from their 276 fans who had made the long midweek trip. Wrexham, on the other hand, celebrated their win with their new owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching from the stands.
The result lifted Wrexham to third place in the table with 27 points from 15 games, while Sutton remained at the bottom with seven points from 15 games.
