Wrexham thrashed Accrington Stanley 4-0 at the STōK Cae Ras thanks to a first-half hat-trick from star striker Paul Mullin, leaving them in the final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
The team owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had failed to win any of their previous three domestic league games as they chase back-to-back promotions, but Saturday's victory takes them just three points behind leaders Mansfield Town, who have a game in hand.
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Mullin opened the scoring in the 17th minute, deftly heading a cross from the right wing past Radek Vitek in the Stanley goal.
The 29-year-old striker doubled his tally eight minutes later with a powerful shot into the bottom left corner. He secured the match ball with a strong header to the far post after a dangerous delivery from Elliott Lee, also from the right.
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Lee closed the scoring and indeed the contest with a goal of his own in the 41st minute. The midfielder flicked the ball into the corner with the outside of his boot after Mullin had turned provider.
Lewis Shipley was sent off for Stanley in the dying minutes to round off a torrid afternoon for the visitors.
Wrexham are now third in League Two, level on points with Stockport in second and two points ahead of Crewe Alexandra in fourth. Stockport has played one game less than the Welsh team.
The loss leaves Stanley in 16th place in the 24-team league.
