PHIL PARKINSON praised his players for the way they came through a scrappy contest with Sutton United and pick up a much needed win to end the barren run.

Wrexham went into the clash at Gander Green Lane on the back of four successive defeats, with three of those coming in League Two to put a dent in the promotion challenge.

It was tough going against second bottom Sutton who are battling to avoid relegation but Wrexham triumphed 2-1 to climb up to fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast, Parkinson freshened up the team and recalled centre-back Will Boyle gave the Reds the lead on the stroke of half-time following a difficult opening period but the Reds' boss hailed the resolute defending to keep the home side out.

"It was always going to be tough, Sutton are a team fighting for their lives," said Parkinson.

"Conditions were against us in the first-half but when you are under the cosh, you have got to stay strong and come through those periods unscathed and we did that. We defended set-plays brilliantly.

"We put our bodies on the line and just waited for the game to open up a little bit which it did in patches in the first-half.

"We gradually got better, showed bits of quality and got in some good positions; Jack Marriott had a good chance and then we got the goal just before half-time."

Sutton equalised in the 74th minute when Charlie Lakin's free-kick took a deflection and wrong-footed Reds' goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

"Sutton started the quicker of the two teams in the second half and Arthur pulled off a world-class save," said Parkinson.

"But the response when they scored was outstanding."

Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer came off the bench in place of Marriott and Steven Fletcher just before Sutton levelled, providing fresh legs in attack, and the duo both went close to scoring before Elliot Lee scored the winner with five minutes remaining.

Parkinson praised the two strikers, saying: "When Mulls and Ollie came on they were great.

"They gave us a lift just when we needed it and looked a real threat.

"They gave absolutely everything for that period of the game and that's what we need.

"There is no quarter given. It is full-out football, commitment.

"We are Wrexham, no-one's going to give us everything; it is another full-house and they are going to fight that bit harder against us.

"But we stood strong and there were some really good performances from us."

Lee scored his 14th goal of the season with a well-taken finish following Luke Bolton's pass to secure three points.

"Elliot is such a terrific player," added Parkinson.

"He was unlucky not to score at the weekend but it's another goal for him.

"He has got that ability when it matters most to produce key moments."