Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney co-owned Wrexham completed a second half comeback against title rivals Notts County in the race to reach League Two, despite Premier League flop John Bostock netting a stunning free-kick.
Both teams went into Monday’s Bank Holiday clash level on 100 points but Notts County commanded top spot on goal difference and Reynolds was in high spirits ahead of kick-off, smiling and greeting excited fans.
However, with Deadpool star Reynolds and McElhenney in attendance at the Racecourse Ground, Premier League flop Bostock, who was a once highly-rated prospect on Tottenham’s books between 2008-2013, stepped up and stunned the stadium into silence with an emphatic free-kick to hand County the league.
The 31-year-old midfielder curled his effort up and over Wrexham’s wall, beating ex-Watford and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster.
A rousing half-time team talk by Phil Parkinson inspired a fast Wrexham second half start. Goal machine Paul Mullin drew the Wales-based club level with a low finish, his 43rd of the season. And Jacob Mendy added a second for Wrexham, smashing the ball into the far corner of the net, sending the Racecourse Ground into pandemonium, while owners Reynolds and McElhenney cut relieved figures.
But Notts County’s do or die attitude, which has helped them keep up with big spenders Wrexham, saw them claw back level through captain Kyle Cameron.
The Defender stuck the ball in the back of the net from a corner to increase the nerves among home supporters inside the ground.
However, lazy defending minutes later gave former West Ham academy star Elliot Lee a shot on goal and the striker took it, restoring Wrexham’s lead. Foster was a late hero, saving a stoppage time penalty.
The win for Wrexham puts the Hollywood-owned club in the driving seat to clinch the title.
They’re now three points clear of rivals Notts County and still hold a game in hand which could see the gap increase to six. Wrexham have four games left in the season, while County have three left to play.
Missing out on automatic promotion would be a disaster for Wrexham, who have considerably outspent their rivals, with York City manager John Askey claiming one player is on $7,400-a-week (£6,000).
“There’s a lot of big clubs in this league, Wrexham being the biggest,” Askey said, speaking at the club’s fans forum. “They’ve just put a goalkeeper on £6,000 per week, so that tells you about the sort of money that they are spending.”
