MAX CLEWORTH insists players were never going to take the foot off the gas after clinching promotion because they wanted to go out on a high note.

Phil Parkinson’s men thrashed Forest Green Rovers 6-0 on a memorable day at The Racecourse to secure a top-three finish in League Two with two games to spare.

There was no let-up from the Reds who triumphed 3-0 at Crewe Alexandra in the penultimate fixture before coming from behind to beat champions Stockport County 2-1 at home on the final day to go up as runners-up.

That meant Wrexham ended the season with five wins in a row and centre-back Cleworth, voted Young Player of the Season following a series of impressive performances, says the players were eager to keep the impressive run going even after achieving their goal.

“Momentum is one of the biggest things in football and we carried that on to the end of the season, and did ourselves proud,” said the 21-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at The Racecourse.

“We just kept playing the way we have been playing and were on a bit of a run. We wanted to keep it going.

“It is always nice to go out on a high so we can enjoy the summer now and look forward to what next year holds.”

Wrexham clinched the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign and went straight up again this season to secure back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.

“It’s been a very successful season,” said Cleworth, who made 31 appearances in all competitions and was a regular in the second half of the campaign.

“The aim was top-three from the start of the season to go straight up and we’ve done that.

“It is easier said than done. There’s been bumps in the road but a lot of hard work put in from everyone - all the fans, staff and the players.

“Being promoted again is a great achievement for everyone involved.

“To get a 2-1 win over Stockport who are a very good team and had already been crowned champions, there’s been a bit of rivalry between us and them over the last few years so that was a nice way to finish it off.

“Being second is better than being third but all that mattered was promotion.”

Booking a place in League One was a team effort but Cleworth touched on his best moment.

Cleworth scored his first league goal for the club at Colchester United on April 6, heading home a late winner as Wrexham picked up a vital 2-1 victory during the run-in when the competition for an automatic promotion place was fierce.

“Obviously Colchester stands out for me personally,” said Cleworth, who previously netted in a 5-0 FA Trophy win against Gloucester back in December 2021.

“Just to get that first league goal and for it to be at such an important time in the season.

“That is probably my favourite moment, even if I didn’t really know what to do when I scored. That was the best moment for me.”