PHIL PARKINSON says Wrexham will relish testing themselves at a higher level against some big clubs after clinching automatic promotion.

The Reds thrashed Forest Green Rovers 6-0 at The Racecourse on Saturday to secure a top-three finish in League Two with two games to go.

Promoted for a second year in a row after winning the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign, Wrexham have returned to League One following a 19-year absence and will come up against the likes of Charlton Athletic and Reading, among others.

Parkinson has experience of managing in the third tier at the likes of Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland, and the 56-year-old is looking forward to planning for the step-up once the Reds end the season with Saturday's trip to Crewe Alexandra and the home clash with champions Stockport County the following weekend.

"We are delighted to get the club back into League One," said Parkinson.

"That is going to be a really exciting league, there are good sides there and some big clubs but we will be ready to hold our own.

"To get in that division is fantastic for us.

"It is a league I have managed in a lot and I know what it's all about. We know as staff what it will take to be competitive,

"We can have a real sit back over the next few weeks and review where the squad is, and what we need to do to make us competitive next year."

Wrexham produced an excellent performance against Forest Green and made it back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history after MK Dons and Barrow lost against Mansfield and Gillingham respectively.

Parkinson was delighted Wrexham finished the job off at the first opportunity.

"You want it done," he added.

"I didn't expect it, my mind was firmly focussed on Crewe because Mansfield went to MK Dons with injuries at the back; they had to put a make-shift back-four together the other night and MK Dons are a dangerous team.

"It was great for Mansfield to get the job done for themselves but obviously enormous help for us, and Barrow lost as well."