PHIL PARKINSON hailed the way his side stepped up to the plate at such a crucial stage of the season after Wrexham beat League Two champions Stockport County 2-1 on the final day.

The Reds trailed at the break against their rivals but Ollie Palmer levelled two minutes into the second half and Andy Cannon scored a late winner.

It was Wrexham's fifth victory in a row, with the last two of those coming after booking a place in League One.

The pressure was off against Stockport with a top-three finish secured but Parkinson was elated with his players' efforts in the run-in as they made it back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

"Five wins to finish the season is great from the lads," said Parkinson. "We've had some tough games as well.

"Crewe away and Stockport when the job had been done but it was important that we finished the season well.

"We spoke last week about rewarding our away travelling army and we have got a very proud record here at The Racecourse.

"We wanted to finish the season off in style against a very good side and we were able to do that with an excellent second half display.

"There's teams in all four divisions that when the real crunch has come, they have gone the other way.

"When the key fixtures have arrived, we have cranked it up and put in some really good performances.

"That is really important, to produce when the crunch time of the season arrives.

"Stockport wasn't the game with everything on it which is how it could have been but we are pleased to have finished the season on a high."

Parkinson admits Wrexham weren't at their best in the first half but he got the response he wanted after the break.

Victory, sealed when Cannon scored with a rocket shot with two minutes to go, ensured the Reds clinched runners-up spot ahead of Mansfield who were held to a 1-1 draw at Barrow.

"There's a lot of pride within the club from our supporters, players and all the staff," added Parkinson.

"The season finished today when the referee blew his whistle.

"First half we still had some good moments but we were a bit slack in possession and gave the ball away cheaply.

"We said to the lads that despite not being anywhere near our best, we still had some good moments but we needed to improve in terms of our quality on the ball.

"We really upped our game in the second period. Ollie scored a great goal, a really good finish, and what a fantastic moment for everybody when Andy finished off in great style after a great move.

"When you score late like that it gives the opposition very little time to come back and we restricted them to very few chances, certainly in the second half, and I was pleased we finished the season well."