Wrexham secured a 1-0 victory over Stockport County on Saturday, March 22, 2025, advancing their pursuit of automatic promotion from League One. The decisive moment occurred when Jay Rodriguez converted a penalty, initially saved, to give Wrexham the win.
The match was marred by controversy. Stockport’s manager, Dave Challinor, voiced his frustration over the penalty decision, which stemmed from a disputed handball by Ibou Touray following a challenge with James McClean. Replays indicated the ball struck Touray’s arm, but he appeared to be off-balance due to McClean’s challenge. Challinor felt the referee’s decision significantly impacted the game’s momentum.
Additionally, James McClean’s interaction with the linesman led to the penalty being awarded after the referee initially ruled for a corner. McClean believed the ball had hit Touray’s hand in the area, prompting a heated exchange that influenced the officiating decision.
Stockport fans expressed their anger on social media, accusing McClean of influencing the officiating. McClean also had a heated altercation with a Stockport fan during halftime, though CCTV footage did not support claims of an attack.
Stockport’s challenges were compounded by Brad Hills’ second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men. Despite these setbacks, Stockport remains fifth in the League One standings, while Wrexham’s win propelled them to second place, keeping their promotion aspirations alive.
For a visual recap of the match, you can watch the highlights below: