Andy Cannon’s late goal gave Wrexham all three points in their final match of the season, as they came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over rivals Stockport County.
The result means that Wrexham finish the 2023/24 Sky Bet League Two campaign in second place, as they moved above Mansfield Town in the league table.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans broke the deadlock after 29 minutes, but Wrexham provided a quick response after the interval, as Palmer fired a composed finish into the bottom corner past Ben Hinchliffe in the 47th minute.
Just as time started to run out, Andy Cannon netted yet another vital goal for Wrexham, smashing home a thunderous strike after 88 minutes to earn all three points.
Phil Parkinson named an unchanged side from last weekend, when the Red Dragons put in a professional display to claim a 3-0 win over local rivals Crewe Alexandra.
While promotion was already secured, given the recent history between the two sides and a chance for Wrexham to claim second place – it is no surprise that Parkinson named such a strong side.
The visitors got proceedings underway in North Wales, with both sides quickly putting in several stern challenges in the opening minutes.
Wrexham’s first real opportunity came in the ninth minute, when Paul Mullin was grappled to the floor on the break, allowing Ollie Palmer to fire an effort from range that eventually rose over the bar after nine minutes.
Mullin was enjoying a good deal of success in behind, despite Stockport’s physical approach to dealing with the Red Dragons’ talisman.
A fantastic ball through on goal from Tom O’Connor found Mullin, who did well to beat Neill Byrne, but he couldn’t manage to keep his shot down to break the deadlock.
O’Connor then had a chance of his own, as the midfielder’s low effort from close-range whistled just wide of the post in the 24th minute – much to the relief of Ben Hinchliffe.
Despite registering a number of efforts, County looked like a side that were fully up for the occasion and they managed to break the deadlock just five minutes later.
Callum Camps found Connor Lemonheigh-Evans with a good ball from the right, and Stockport’s number 24 fired in on his right foot off the post.
County were in the ascendancy at this point, and it could’ve been 2-0 just after the half hour mark, as Sarcevic made a smart run in behind to find himself one-on-one with Arthur Okonkwo, but his effort was wide.
Palmer forced a good save from Hincliffe in the 43rd as he picked up a loose ball from Luke Young and fired a powerful strike that produced an impressive save on the brink of half-time.
Wrexham came back out for the second half, fired up to find a response, and soon enough they were level in North Wales.
It was the man who had endeavoured so heavily to cause County a number of problems with his physical presence, Palmer, who levelled the scores after 47 minutes.
Eoghan O’Connell produced an incredible ball over Stockport’s backline and into the path of Wrexham’s number nine, who did well to finish with composure into the bottom-right corner in front of the STōK Cold Brew Coffee Stand.
Both sides continued to search for a winner, but their efforts seemed unlikely to come into fruition as the game went on.
James McClean forced Hincliffe into a good save ten minutes from time, as Parkinson’s side stepped up their efforts to find a winner late on.
As Wrexham’s hopes of winning the fixture seemed to have ended, as has been the case on so many occasions this season – the Red Dragons produced yet another crucial goal in the final minutes of a match.
Andy Cannon made a brilliant run into the box and drove forwards before firing a ferocious strike into the roof of the net on his right foot in the 88th minute to claim another late, famous victory at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo, Cleworth, O'Connell, O'Connor, Barnett (Bolton 87’), Young (C), Cannon, Lee (J. Davies 78’), McClean, Mullin (Marriott 87’), Palmer (Fletcher 69’).
Subs not used: Howard, Tozer, McFadzean.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Byrne (Cass 90’), Horsfall, Camps, Sarcevic, Powell (Richards 63’), Pye, Wootton, Barry (Madden 46’), Hippolyte (Touray 63’), Lemonheigh-Evans.
Subs not used: Smith, Bristow, Knight.
Match Attendance: 12,562 (1,127)*
*Highest home attendance this season.
