STEVE PARKIN declared himself pleased with Wrexham's "fabulous" points return over the festive period.

The League Two fixtures came thick and fast over Christmas with the Reds playing four times in 10 days and Phil Parkinson's side had nine points from a possible 12 to show for their efforts.

A 2-0 Welsh derby home win against Newport County on December 23 was followed by the 1-0 victory at Swindon Town on Boxing Day.

Although 2023 ended with a 3-1 defeat at Walsall last Friday, Wrexham responded by beating promotion rivals Barrow 4-1 at The Racecourse on New Year's Day to stay third in the table, two points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand.

Assistant manager Parkin was happy with the points haul during a tough schedule.

"It is so difficult with the amount of games that are scheduled in such a short amount of time," said Parkin.

"It is difficult for any club in any division to get nine points out of 12 so I think it has been a fabulous return and a fabulous effort from all the staff who have worked long and hard over the Christmas period.

"You won't get a break at Christmas when you are involved in football and to have four games in that 10-day period is really tough.

"Full credit to everybody at the football club who has been working over Christmas."

Wrexham fell behind after just 33 seconds but the Reds scored three goals in five minutes during the lengthy spell of first-half injury time after Barrow wing-back David Worrall was taken to hospital with a head injury.

"Their goal set everybody on their heels, even the crowd," said Parkin. “We needed a goal to give us a spark.

“We were a little bit impatient with the football but towards the end of the first half when we got the goals, I always felt that we were going to come on strong.”

Steven Fletcher, who equalised before putting Wrexham 3-1 up, completed his hat-trick midway through the second half to secure victory.

The former Scottish international was making his first start since returning from knee surgery which kept him out for two months and Parkin said: "It's great for Steven.

"He has had a long and illustrious career where he has been a top player and he got off to a great start here, but sadly had the knee injury which held him back.

"But he has been great in training over the last couple of weeks and he showed what a good player he is."