Wrexham beat leaders Middlesbrough as Parkinson confirms Smith injury blow

Wrexham defeated Championship leaders Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground on November 4, with second-half goals from George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone ending the visitors' 11-match unbeaten league run. The victory was Wrexham's fourth in 14 Championship games this season, according to BBC Sport, and followed a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United five days earlier.

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Sky Sports reported that Thomason broke the deadlock in the 71st minute after Max Cleworth sent a long ball into the penalty area. Adilson Malanda's clearance reached the midfielder, who scored from outside the box. Substitute Rathbone made the result secure in the 84th minute, heading Lewis O'Brien's delivery in at the far post after replacing Thomason.

Wrexham had already had a goal disallowed early in the second half, when O'Brien was ruled offside after converting a rebound from Kieffer Moore's shot. Middlesbrough, missing leading scorer Will Lankshear through injury, failed to turn their openings into goals. Sky Sports reported that Amario Cozier-Duberry shot wide after a misplaced clearance by Wrexham goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, shortly before the hosts took the lead.

Parkinson welcomed the response to the Sheffield United loss but cautioned against getting carried away. Speaking to BBC Sport, he stressed that commitment and honest performances were central to the relationship between the team, supporters and owners. He said his staff had wanted visiting sides to leave the Racecourse knowing they had faced a demanding contest, and felt Middlesbrough had done so.

The evening also brought confirmation of a lengthy absence for Sam Smith. BBC Sport reported that the striker sustained a knee injury late in the Sheffield United game and missed the Middlesbrough match. Parkinson said Smith had damaged his cruciate ligament, was due to have surgery the following Wednesday and was expected to be out for nine months, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg acknowledged that Lankshear's absence was difficult but did not make it the sole explanation for the defeat. In comments reported by the Press Association and published by Nation.Cymru, he said his team had lacked sharpness and created few opportunities. He added that the late decision on Lankshear's availability had complicated preparations.