PHIL PARKINSON stressed the importance of going into a massive top of the table clash against promotion rivals Mansfield Town on the back of a win and he got his wish!

Wrexham only took one point from two home matches going into Saturday's clash with lowly Grimsby Town at Blundell Park but Parkinson got the perfect response as the Reds returned to winning ways.

Wrexham triumphed 3-1 with Andy Cannon bagging a brace and top scorer Paul Mullin also on target in the first-half to put the game beyond doubt, with the lowly Mariners reducing the deficit late on.

Victory keeps Wrexham third in the table but only three points behind leaders Mansfield who were held to a 1-1 draw by Colchester. Stockport remain second and one point ahead of the Reds with a game in hand after winning 5-0 against fourth placed MK Dons who are three adrift of Parkinson's side having played a match more.

Parkinson feels victory has set Wrexham up nicely for the Good Friday meeting with Mansfield at The Racecourse and boosted hopes of a top-three finish.

"Wins at this stage of the season are hard to come by," said Parkinson.

"We watched the Mansfield against Colchester game on the way here and teams are fighting for everything.

"That's what you get because there is so much at stake.

"It is a good win for us and we can look forward to a great game on Good Friday.

"That was the aim, to set-up the Easter period with a win."

Parkinson was delighted with the reaction after Wrexham suffered a 1-0 derby defeat to Tranmere in the last outing when the Reds dominated the contest but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

"The lads are great to work with because we were hurting after we lost the Tranmere game," he added.

"When you look at it back, it is almost incredible how we did not draw but win the game with the pressure we had.

"But there's a real togetherness in the group. The training was a very high standard, and we will take that into this week and see if we can have a great performance against Mansfield."