ROB LAINTON got valuable minutes under his belt as the Wrexham goalkeeper continued his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Lainton, first choice stopper since arriving at The Racecourse in the summer of 2018, has not played since he sustained a serious wrist injury in the goalless draw at Bromley in March.

Manager Phil Parkinson arranged an in-house practice match at Nantwich, where the Reds play their reserve-team fixtures, to give long-term injured players a much needed run-out and Reece Hall-Johnson (thigh), Harry Lennon (back) and Ryan Austin (knee) also got game-time.

Shortened to 70 minutes, Lainton played the whole game, Hall-Johnson and Austin got an hour with Lennon making a 45 minute appearance.

Parkinson, who saw Wrexham beat Maidenhead United 1-0 later in the day to maintain the promotion challenge, said: “We had a behind closed doors friendly at Nantwich and they all played.

“We were supposed to play Blackpool and they pulled out; each week a team keeps pulling out for various reasons.

“Great credit to our youth department that their players came and we had an in-house game, and that was much needed.

“I am pleased for those lads.

“All the staff were there in the pouring rain but we enjoyed it.

“I think we have had a good day’s work.”

Parkinson was particularly pleased so see forgotten man Austin, who sustained a serious knee injury before the 54-year-old took over as manager at The Racecourse in July 2021, take to the pitch.

“Rob’s fine while Ryan hadn’t played for 18 months so that was a huge step for him,” said the Reds’ boss.

Parkinson, who only has Jacob Mendy (hamstring) and Christian Dibble (knee) out of action, saw centre-back Jordan Tunnicliffe forced off with a dead leg against Maidenhead while Ben Tozer and Ollie Palmer completed the game with bandaged heads.

“Jordan has got a dead leg,” said Parkinson. “He was outstanding again; I have got to give him another mention because he was rock solid.

“Ben got stitches in his eye and Ollie the same but that’s the kind of game you get against Maidenhead.

“You have got to be ready for that, it’s like an old-school battle and you have got to be prepared for that first and foremost and I thought we were.”