Wrexham | Another promotion still on for Wrexham?

Wrexham 2 - 0 Swansea City

Wrexham tightened their grip on a place in the Championship’s top six with victory over Swansea City.

Author  |  Steffan Ingram

Stadium  |  Stok Cae Ras

Nathan Broadhead put the hosts in front midway through the first half, firing home his eighth goal of the season in all competitions.

Swansea controlled long spells of possession and had earlier seen Arthur Okonkwo deny Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik in a one-on-one.

The away side were made to pay for that missed opportunity

Late on, Callum Doyle’s header from a cross struck Liam Cullen and diverted in, ensuring the Red Dragons claimed the bragging rights over their southern rivals.

The win means Phil Parkinson’s side move six points clear of seventh-placed Southampton, who travel to leaders Coventry City on Saturday. Swansea slip to 12th, eight points adrift of the play-off places with eight games remaining.

Gonçalo Franco tested Okonkwo with a tame effort inside 40 seconds, while at the other end Lawrence Vigouroux reacted sharply to claw away a Broadhead header during an open opening spell.

The clearest chance arrived on 21 minutes. Vipotnik, who has 19 goals in all competitions this season, raced on to Franco’s superb through ball but was denied by a fine save from Okonkwo.

Four minutes later Swansea were punished. Good work from Sam Smith saw former Swan Lewis O'Brien combine with Doyle to release Broadhead, who cut inside Cameron Burgess before drilling beyond Vigouroux from a tight angle.

It left Vítor Matos’s side frustrated. Despite enjoying much of the ball, Swansea found it increasingly difficult to trouble Okonkwo.

Smith and Issa Kaboré both threatened late in the first half, but Swansea still faced a deficit at the break.

Broadhead remained lively after the restart and curled narrowly wide as Wrexham continued to pose a threat.

Matos responded before the hour by introducing Liam Cullen, Eom Ji-sung and Malick Yalcouyé in search of greater cutting edge.

Swansea improved as a result. Okonkwo was forced into another strong save from Marko Stamenic, while Yalcouyé fired over when well placed.

Yet the points were secured two minutes from time when Doyle rose to meet a cross from George Thomason, his header deflecting in off Cullen.

The result deals a significant blow to Swansea’s already slim play-off hopes and sees Wrexham return to winning ways after some recent defeats.