Wrexham intent on taking play-off race to the wire

Wrexham beat Stoke City to end their three-game winless run [Getty Images]

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham's aim is to take the Championship play-off race "to the wire" after they closed the gap to the top six with victory over Stoke City.

Quickfire goals from George Thomason and Josh Windass shortly after the half hour mark earned the Red Dragons all three points against the Potters at Stok Cae Ras.

It ensured Parkinson's men reduced the gap to Hull City, who are currently sixth, to just two points after the Tigers were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City.

"The aim has been to take this to the wire," Parkinson said.

"That's what we spoke to the lads about, let's not hand the play-off place to the other teams.

"It's about making sure we got our performance levels where they need to be to win games of football at this level.

"I felt you saw today, a lot of players came back to the levels they can play at and we'll be ready for Tuesday night to do the same."

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• Wrexham revive play-off bid with Stoke win

Red Dragons make history

Wrexham went into the contest with Mark Robins' side having lost successive league games for only the second time this season.

But they controlled proceedings throughout and claimed a first clean sheet in six matches while also ensuring Stoke failed to register a single shot on target.

Victory clinched the club's highest-ever league finish, but, crucially, it dragged Wrexham firmly back into the play-off picture.

Tomoki Iwata struck a late equaliser for Birmingham at Hull, and Parkinson says he was grateful to the Blues for the role they played in helping Wrexham cut the gap to the Tigers.

"I honestly didn't know what the score was until I was coming off down the tunnel and someone said the game was still going but it was 1-1," he said.