STEVE PARKIN hailed a clinical performance as Wrexham beat Crawley Town 4-1 at The Racecourse to edge closer to automatic promotion in League Two.

The Red Devils boast one of the best away records in the division and are in contention for a play-off spot but Phil Parkinson's side never looked back after taking a 21st minute lead when Ryan Barnett scored his first goal for the club.

Paul Mullin quickly made it 2-0 and after Andy Cannon got in on the act after the break, the prolific striker grabbed his second goal of the night to put the game beyond doubt.

Crawley reduced the deficit in added time but it failed to take the shine of a fantastic display and result.

"We worked long and hard over the weekend about Crawley and how good they were away from home," said assistant manager Parkin.

"We set out a game-plan to the lads that we thought would be enough to create chances and the lads stuck to it with the exception of the last goal.

"They worked so hard off the ball which is what you have to do against a team who are great in possession, and we thought we would create chances on the break.

"When you do that, you have to be clinical and put your chances away, and it was a really clinical performance.

"The goals were great and some of the football was good. We know that they have a lot of possession and keep the ball well but we felt if we broke quickly and with pace, and were good in front of goal, we'd have a great chance of winning the game which is what happened."

Barnett, brought in from Solihull Moors in February 2023, finally got off the mark for Wrexham when he headed home Elliot Lee's superb cross.

"I am delighted for him because he has had a few opportunities," said Parkin.

"We have got him coming in at the back stick now and the chances have come for him over the last few weeks.

"It was great to see him take one. It was a great ball in from Elliot and a nice finish."

Barnett and Cannon combined to set-up Mullin for a well-worked second goal which put Wrexham 2-0 up at the break.

Man of the match Cannon, who has been in excellent form, got the third goal after Lee's shot was saved.

"Andy had an outstanding game and has done over the last two or three weeks," said Parkin.

Top scorer Mullin, who netted his 100th goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 comeback win at Colchester, made it 4-0 when he seized on a defensive mistake and netted with a cool finish.

The brace took Mullin up to 23 goals this season and Parkin praised the striker for not putting his feet up with Wrexham, who remain second in the table, well in control.

"He didn't give it up. At 3-0 it would have been easy for him to put the brakes on but he felt he could get there," he added.

"I think the goalkeeper was in two minds whether to come or not, and it was a very clinical finish.

"Mulls has been right on it the last couple of weeks."