Max Cleworth’s 85th-minute header completed a comeback inspired by Paul Mullin, who scored his 100th club goal on a day that Wrexham AFC climbed to second place in Sky Bet League Two.

Wrexham’s first-half performance was abysmal, with no shots on target. 

Colchester took the lead after nine minutes of the second half when John Akinde’s low strike nestled in the net. 

Mullin responded just eight minutes later with a crucial equaliser that brought the Red Dragons into the match. 

Cleworth then scored in the dying minutes of the second half to earn Wrexham three vital points. 

Phil Parkinson made four changes to his starting XI for the match against Doncaster Rovers, bringing in Ryan Barnett (instead of George Evans), Jacob Mendy, and Steven Fletcher. 

Elliot Lee benefited from a well-deserved rest, as he has played more minutes than any other player in Wrexham’s squad this season. 

In 2006, Parkinson was promoted to the Championship by Colchester after making his managerial debut with the U’s. 

Essex had no room for sentimentality, as the fight for promotion was heating up. 

United kicked off the match, but the Red Dragons knew it would be a tough game. 

The EFL approved the change of pitch dimensions after recent problems with the pitch caused host clubs to have issues. 

The surface of the JobServe Community Stadium, however, was not in the best condition, due to drainage issues that had caused several postponements between February and March. 

Colchester’s appeal for a penalty was ignored after 14 minutes when Mendy put pressure on Jay Mingi. Instead, referee Tom Reeves referred to a corner instead and ignored the hosts. 

Paul Mullin appeared to be through with a golden opportunity for Wrexham to break the score, but the pitch halted a quick pass and slowed down the progress of Wrexham into the final quarter. 

Mullin managed to get off a shot, but it was just a little bit wide of Goodman’s goal as the search for an opening continued. 

Danny Cowley’s side nearly scored a decisive goal against the Red Dragons in the 17th-minute, when Connor Hall shot over. 

Mendy was unable to cope with a knock he had received earlier at the JobServe community Stadium.

Lee was quickly called into action, however, as Mendy could not continue and Parkinson, after 34 minutes, was forced to make a substitution. 

Mullin and Eoghan were both in with chances late in the first half, but they couldn’t be converted. Parkinson’s side went into the half-time break level. 

John Akinde, who was playing up front, started to cause problems for the U’s in the second half. 

Colchester’s number 24, who fired a warning shot in the 49th-minute, set the tone before his low strike just five minutes later from outside the box broke the deadlock. 

Okonkwo was able to get a hand in the effort, but Akinde’s effort went into the net. 

Wrexham scored a goal against their stubborn opponents just as Jack and Ollie Marriott were about to make their debut. 

Barnett and Andy Cannon linked-up well on the right and the wingback found himself in good space after 62 min. 

The wingback delivered an impeccably-timed ball to Mullin, who made it look easy as he headed the ball past Goodman, for his 100th Wrexham jersey goal, at a critical point in this game. 

The celebrations were a little subdued but given the importance of the three points in the promotion race, Wrexham’s talisman was not surprised to run straight back to the half-way line for the restart.

Wrexham, a town famous for its character, was in full force in the crucial final moments. They completed an emphatic return with five minutes remaining. 

Wrexham’s win was crucial, and nothing could stop them. The Red Dragons fought to the end to ensure that they would return to North Wales with three points. 

Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo, Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor, Barnett (Bolton 83′), Evans, Cannon, McClean, Mendy (Lee 34′), Mullin (C) (Marriott 83′), Fletcher (Palmer 65′).

Subs not used: Howard, Tozer, J.Davies.

Colchester UnitedGoodman, Iandolo, Hall, Dallison, McGeehan (Ihionvien, 88′), Read (Anderson), Mingi (Akinde, Tovide, 66′), Smith, (Chilvers, 80′).

Subs not used : Hornby, Kelleher and Jay 

Attendance at the match: 8,432 (1.278 Away).