Phil Parkinson praises Paul Mullin after his winner for Wrexham at Rotherham

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson hailed Paul Mullin’s “brilliant” return to the starting line-up after he grabbed the only goal in the win at Rotherham.

Mullin, who has plundered more than a century of goals for Wrexham over the past three seasons, was handed only his second league start this term after leading marksman Jack Marriott broke his fibula in training.

But he took just 16 seconds to make his mark, getting on the end of an excellent right-wing cross into the six-yard from Ryan Barnett to net his first league goal of the campaign.

It ended Wrexham’s run of five straight defeats against Rotherham – stretching back to 1997 – with Parkinson saying: “It was an outstanding cross from Barney and a brilliant finish from Mulls, who did what he’s done time and time for us.

“We all know he’s a great player with an ability to score all types of goals and I’m really pleased for him.

“He’s started four games this season, including in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and scored three goals, so that’s still a really, really good record and his all-round performance was brilliant.

“There’s a lot of expectancy on Paul because of what he’s done for us as a club but he’s come back into the team firing and played a big part in a gritty, resilient away performance.”

Marriott, meanwhile, is expected to be sidelined until at least February, with Parkinson adding: “Thursday was a very low day for all of us.

“Jack took a shot on the training ground with nobody anywhere near him and his foot just went beneath him and he has broken his fibula.

“He’ll have an operation on Monday and we’ll probably be without him for four months but we’ll get him the best treatment possible so that he can still contribute more to our season.”

Rotherham boss Steve Evans, watching the game from the directors’ box due to a dugout ban, admitted his side’s sloppy start proved costly but argued they didn’t deserve to lose.

“We paid the price for the opening five minutes, which wasn’t us,” he lamented. “Straight from the kick-off, we didn’t compete for the first ball or for the cross into the striker.

“Then Paul Mullin did what Paul Mullin does. After that first five minutes, the game then settled down and we had nearly 70 per cent of possession, 17 shots, numerous corners, numerous free-kicks and were on the wrong end of numerous bad decisions but Wrexham found a way to win a game they shouldn’t have done.

“There were also big moments and big chances. One fell to Sam Nombe and strikers at the top level in this league score the goal and get you back in the game but, while we played some very good football, we lacked that killer edge.

“A couple of their lads, who have played for me in the past, admitted they don’t know how they won the game but they won it because they showed a great resolve which Phil has built there.”

MORE: Watch: Early Paul Mullin strike helps Wrexham overcome Rotherham