It was billed as the biggest game in National League history, and Monday's top-of-the-table clash between Wrexham and Notts County — with both clubs entering on 100 points, having scored 106 goals each and directly battling for the only automatic birth into the EFL — didn't disappoint.
With Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney both in attendance, a five-goal thriller played out at the Racecourse Ground that left the Red Dragons in complete control of their promotion destiny.
But they needed to muster a comeback to get it done after Notts County took the lead in first-half stoppage time through John Bostock's left foot. What a hit.
STUNNING @Official_NCFC's John Bostock scores his first goal since September 2016 to strike a killer blow against @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/zCXnM6YcVc
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
However, just three minutes into the second half, Paul Mullin put his marker on the floor before applying a one-touch finish to pull Wrexham level.
Paul Mullin curls home his 44th goal this season in all competitions and @Wrexham_AFC are back level just after the break pic.twitter.com/zjbdj9Q6oL
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
In the 69th minute, Mullin turned creator and Jacob Mendy gave Wrexham a 2-1 lead.
COMEBACK
The Racecourse errupts as Jacob Mendy steals in at the back stick to put @Wrexham_AFC ahead pic.twitter.com/Pe0Lg1rQzy— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
Wrexham's lead lasted just six minutes. Off a Notts County corner taken short, Kyle Cameron got on the end of a cross to the back post.
THE CAPTAIN @Official_NCFC's Kyle Cameron powers home his header and we're all square again pic.twitter.com/XGxalROsIC
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
But just three minutes after that, in the 78th, Mullin got another assist with Elliot Lee restoring Wrexham's advantage, 3-2!
Paul Mullin tees up Elliot Lee to put @Wrexham_AFC back in control of a match for the ages against @Official_NCFC pic.twitter.com/8LHHAYTgtq
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
There was still time for one more twist in the plot. In the six minutes of second-half stoppage time, Notts County won a penalty to potentially steal a draw. Remarkably, goalkeeper Ben Foster — the 40-year-old veteran who came out of retirement to sign a short-term contract with Wrexham a few weeks ago — pulled off an incredible save.
SCENES @Wrexham_AFC's Ben Foster comes up BIG to save @Official_NCFC's last-minute penalty ♂️ pic.twitter.com/n4ZBSMCrF5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
I can’t believe there was a time when I thought football was boring.
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) April 10, 2023
With only four matches remaining in the season, Wrexham now have a three-point advantage over Notts County and a game in hand. They could still collapse and be forced into the National League playoffs, but you'd expect them to take care of business now.
Wrexham remaining fixtures
Away vs. Barnet (5th) on Saturday, Apr. 15
Home vs. Yeovil Town (22nd) on Tuesday, Apr. 18
Home vs. Boreham Wood (6th) on Saturday, Apr. 22
Away vs. Torquay United (21st) on Saturday, Apr. 29
