Wrexham Vs Portsmouth: Red Dragons bolster play-off hopes with hard-fought win

wrexham vs portsmouth finished 2-1 as Wrexham strengthened their grip on a Championship play-off spot with a hard-fought victory at Stok Cae Ras. The result leaves Wrexham sixth and opening up a four-point lead over seventh-placed Southampton, while Pompey remain 19th and five points clear of the relegation zone.

Two venues, two meetings: Stok Cae Ras and the Racecourse Ground

The match was staged at Stok Cae Ras, and another account of the fixture places the game at the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday night; Wrexham have taken four points from their two fixtures against Portsmouth this season, the first contest in November having finished goalless. That sequence underlined how tight meetings between the sides have been this term.

First-half headed goals from Sam Smith and Max Cleworth

Wrexham opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Sam Smith rose to nod Callum Doyle's curling cross back across goal and into the net. The hosts doubled their lead six minutes before the break when defender Max Cleworth headed George Dobson's corner into the net, giving the Red Dragons a deserved lead going into half-time.

Zak Swanson sparks Pompey fightback early in second half

Portsmouth were much improved after the restart and pulled a goal back four minutes into the second half, a strike recorded as the 49th minute, when Zak Swanson latched onto a Regan Poole pass after a slick one-two; his shot struck Doyle and looped over the helpless Arthur Okonkwo. Swanson had also curled an effort wide before the break and produced a 30-yard strike on the brink of half-time that sailed just over.

Chances, blocks and substitutions shape the closing stages

Both sides created half-chances throughout. George Thomason had the best early opening after a slick counter but was well denied by goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid, who also tipped away a thumping long-range strike from Sam Smith. Millenic Alli put in dangerous low crosses and Gustavo Caballero had a shot blocked for Pompey. Phil Parkinson reacted by sending on top scorer Kieffer Moore and Rathbone—named Ollie in one account and Oliver in another—in an attempt to regain control; Rathbone later rifled an effort against the post as Pompey continued to press and win a series of corners.

Wrexham hold firm to claim back-to-back wins and broader context

After taking the sting out of the contest late on, Wrexham managed the final stages professionally to hold on for back-to-back wins. The result moves them back into a stronger play-off position after a recent 5-3 victory over Ipswich and ahead of an upcoming FA Cup tie with Chelsea. Portsmouth, led by John Mousinho, had been looking to secure three successive away league wins for the first time since midway through their title-winning 2023-24 League One campaign, but could not find a late equaliser despite improved second-half play.

Key individuals across the match included Callum Doyle and George Dobson for Wrexham’s attacking set-pieces, Nicolas Schmid for a string of saves for Portsmouth, and Arthur Okonkwo in goal for Wrexham. Josh Windass dragged a shot wide as Wrexham began to take control in the first half, while George Thomason tested Schmid again in a late flurry. Ultimately, headed goals from Smith and Cleworth and a resilient defensive finish secured the 2-1 win that leaves Wrexham sixth and Pompey 19th.