Wrexham lose to Coventry, cling to playoff places

Coventry celebrated their Championship title party with a 3-1 victory that leaves Wrexham's playoff ambitions in the balance.

>The Sky Blues were in party mode after Frank Lampard's side had wrapped up the title on Tuesday and ahead of the trophy presentation after the final whistle.

>Brandon Thomas-Asante volleyed the hosts ahead after 19 minutes at the CBS Arena, but Ollie Rathbone replied quickly for sixth-placed Wrexham.

>A point would have been welcome for the visitors but -- 10 minutes from time -- substitute Victor Torp drove home a powerful free-kick which Danny Ward could only help into the roof of the net.

>Ephron Mason-Clark put the cherry on Coventry's cake with a classy finish in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

>Wrexham head into the last round of games on Saturday with the smallest of advantages in the race for the final playoff place.

>Level on 70 points with Hull, they now have a superior goal difference of just one over the Tigers, while Derby remain in the hunt just a point back.

>On what is sure to be a tense afternoon, all three finish at home, with Wrexham playing Middlesbrough, Hull hosting Norwich, while Derby entertain Sheffield United.

>Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: "After 45 games we're in the mix and it's in our hands going into the last week of the season.

>"We knew goal difference was important and we had to make sure we stayed positive above Hull with that, whilst wanting to win the game.

>"The third goal is an unfair reflection on the game, but we're still ahead of Hull on goal difference.

>"It's all to play for and we've got an opportunity next week to get over the line."

>Thousands of Coventry fans held up "We Are Back" placards before kick-off to mark their return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence.

>Wrexham were back at a stadium holding fond memories for their supporters following an FA Cup giant-killing in 2023 during the Red Dragons' National League days.

>The Sky Blues were given a guard of honour by opponents seeking a league double after their 3-2 Racecourse victory in October.

>There were early shots blocked at either end with George Thomason and Frank Onyeka unable to find a way through congested defences.

>The party atmosphere went up several notches when Thomas-Asante made a darting run between Callum Doyle and Thomason to fire home Mason-Clark's cross from a few yards out.

>Coventry's lead remained intact for only six minutes as George Dobson delivered a delightful ball down the right for Issa Kaboré.

>The wing-back had space to attack and Rathbone dispatched his low cross from 14 yards out in emphatic fashion.

>Although Coventry had two-thirds possession in the first half, Wrexham carried a threat on the counter-attack with Josh Windass rippling the side netting and Thomason striking an upright.

>Ward made his first meaningful save 10 minutes after the restart to keep out out a Haji Wright header at the base of a post after the Sky Blues' top scorer was found by Milan van Ewijk.

>Carl Rushworth was just as alert to prevent Sam Smith profiting from a Dobson's through ball that split the Coventry defence and the save was to prove crucial.

>Torp won the argument to take the free-kick and the Danish midfielder produced a beauty before Mason-Clark crowned a season to remember for the Sky Blues.