Wrexham's Nathan BroadheadRex Features

Wrexham's Nathan Broadhead has won 17 caps for Wales

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport WalesStok Cae Ras

Wrexham strengthened their hold on a place in the Championship's top six with victory over fellow Welsh side Swansea City at Stok Cae Ras.

Nathan Broadhead fired the hosts ahead midway through the first half with his eighth goal of the season across all competitions.

The Swans dominated possession for long periods and had seen Arthur Okonkwo deny Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik from a one-on-one position earlier on.

But they failed to capitalise, and Callum Doyle's header went in off Liam Cullen late on to ensure the Red Dragons sealed the bragging rights over their southern Welsh counterparts.

Victory ensured Phil Parkinson's men opened up a six-point gap over seventh-placed Southampton, who go to leaders Coventry City on Saturday.

Swansea drop to 12th and are eight points adrift of the play-off spots with eight games remaining.

After Goncalo Franco's tame shot was easily saved by Okonkwo inside 40 seconds, Lawrence Vigouroux had to be alert to claw away Broadhead's header at the other end during a lively opening period.

But the clearest opportunity fell to Vipotnik - scorer of 19 goals across all competitions this season - on 21 minutes as he latched on to Franco's sublime through ball, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Okonkwo.

And Swansea were emphatically punished for failing to take that chance just four minutes later.

Following fine work from Sam Smith, former Swan Lewis O'Brien and Doyle combined to set up Broadhead, who showed composure to chop past Cameron Burgess before drilling beyond Vigouroux from an acute angle.

It no doubt left Vitor Matos' men stunned as they largely dominated possession and had plenty of control, but found it increasingly difficult to trouble Okonkwo.

Smith and Kabore both had chances in the final stages of the opening half as the Swans were left with work to do after the restart.

Broadhead continued to brim with confidence and curled just wide shortly after the restart as the home side continued to threaten.

Liam Cullen, Eom Jisung and Malick Yalcouye were all sent on by Matos prior to the hour mark as the Swans looked to add attacking quality to their control.

Swansea swiftly improved in the final third as a result, with Okonkwo keeping out Marko Stamenic's thumping hit before Yalcouye lashed over.

But the points were sealed two minutes from time as Doyle's header from a George Thomason cross went in off the legs of Cullen.

It put a severe dent in Swansea's already faint play-off hopes - with Wrexham returning to winning ways following losses to Chelsea and Hull City.

Wrexham co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac celebrateGetty Images

Wrexham co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob Mac took control of the Red Dragons in February 2021

Analysis: Vipotnik thwarted on big night for Wrexham

Wrexham's back three of Max Cleworth, Dom Hyam and Doyle have been settled for some time now.

And they combined, along with those further ahead of them and the giant Okonkwo in goal, to thwart Championship top scorer Vipotnik superbly.

That ensured Wrexham kept a 10th league clean sheet of the season, and it certainly meant a lot to Parkinson.

It was Parkinson's first victory in 10 attempts against Swansea across his long managerial career, and the emotions poured out of the Wrexham boss after the full-time whistle.

Following Tuesday's defeat by Hull City, this felt like a significant outcome for Parkinson's team.

The opposite applies to Swansea who can now realistically put their faint dreams of securing a play-off spot to bed for the time being.

They had plenty of control, and there will be so much for Matos to like, although they just lacked in the final third where it mattered.

Post-match reaction

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson:

"It was a performance of resilience and character tonight, it really was.

"I think defensively we were strong. Sometimes there can be a little bit of an uncomfortable feeling when the opposition have a lot of possession, but you've got to be comfortable.

"That is real true spirit and resilience from all the lads involved and all the staff and all the supporters as well because three home games in six days is not easy for anyone."

Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos:

"We had as well good chances. We missed the last moment, I would say.

"Apart from that, we had intensity, we pushed Wrexham back, we controlled, we created, just the last little thing was not there today.

"Maybe it was unlucky for us as well, and I think that's it."

Player of the match

A. Okonkwo
8.31
1 A. Okonkwo
8.31
33 N. Broadhead
7.88
2 C. Doyle
7.83
27 L. O'Brien
7.63
12 I. Kaboré
7.53
5 D. Hyam
7.53
14 G. Thomason
7.48
20 O. Rathbone
7.42
4 M. Cleworth
7.41
26 Z. Vyner
7.35
28 S. Smith
7.22
11 B. Cadamarteri
6.97
10 J. Windass
6.90
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