Wrexham's League Two promotion bid took a blow after a 2-0 loss to Accrington Stanley at Wham Stadium on Saturday.
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Wrexham fall to 2-0 defeatLeigh and Longelo score for AccringtonMullin misses penalty late on in second halfGettyTELL ME MORE
Second-half goals from Tommy Leigh and Rosaire Longelo saw the Welsh side fall out of the automatic promotion places to end an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Paul Mullin should have given the visitors the lead just after the half hour mark but the striker could only hit the bar following Elliot Lee's through ball.
Then, shortly after half time, the returning Jordan Davies – who alongside Mullin came in for James McClean and Jacob Mendy, who are on international duty – conceded a penalty after bringing down Matt Lowe in the box. Leigh dispatched the subsequent spot-kick and 17 minutes from time it was 2-0 when Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo spilled a shot from distance and Longelo slotted home the rebound from close-range.
And to cap off a hugely disappointing afternoon, Mullin crashed a penalty onto the crossbar deep into second-half stoppage time. Despite having 57% possession, Wrexham fashioned just nine shots on goal compared to the home side's 14 as Phil Parkinson's men dropped to fourth in the table – behind rivals Notts County on goal difference.
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Rosaire Longelo: The 24-year-old defender scored the second goal to secure all three points for Accrington, at a point when Wrexham would've felt they had plenty of time to get back into the match. He showed real desire to get forward and pounce on the rebound and although Okonkwo felt he kicked the ball out of his hands, it would've been harsh had the decision gone against him.
Getty ImagesTHE BIG LOSER
Arthur Okonkwo: While Davies was the one who conceded a penalty and Mullin missed a spot-kick late on, Arsenal loanee Okonkwo made a genuine error for Accrington's second goal. That, ultimately, put the game beyond Wrexham's reach.
GettyWHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham are back in League Two action next Saturday at home to Morecambe. There could well be a punishment following for the Red Dragons, however, with their supporters having appeared to throw objects on the pitch having been angered by some of the decisions that went against their side in the game.