PHIL PARKINSON praised the effort and commitment of his players after missing out on the National League title.

Wrexham needed to beat Dagenham and Redbridge at Victoria Road on the final day of the season and hope that Stockport lost at home to Halifax Town to clinch automatic promotion.

A 3-0 defeat against the Daggers was irrelevant as the Hatters took an early lead and went on to win 2-0 to secure their place back in the Football League.

But Parkinson spoke of his pride after Wrexham, who trailed Stockport by 11 points in March and beat their rivals 3-0 in the Reds’ penultimate fixture, took the title race down to the wire.

The focus turns to Sunday’s FA Trophy final against Bromley at Wembley before Wrexham face either Notts County or Grimsby in the play-off semi-final.

“The lads have shown so much effort, commitment and togetherness throughout the course of the season, but today wasn’t our day,” said Parkinson.

“Our win against Stockport was obviously important but we knew with a win against Torquay, it was in their hands and they have taken care of their business.

“We clawed back a lot of points over the last few months but it wasn’t to be.

“But the lads have given us absolutely everything, the supporters have given everything throughout the course of the season, it is now time to have a big break this week, a bit of reflection on what we need to do, and we will take that into the FA Trophy final.”