Wrexham made a stunning comeback on Boxing Day against Sheffield United with a Kieffer Moore brace proving decisive as they rallied from 3-1 down.

Cardiff maintained their position at the top of League 1 following an important yet hard-earned victory over Exeter.

Swansea were held to a 1-0 defeat over Coventry who went eight points clear at the top of the Championship and handed the Swans their fifth successive away defeat.

Christian Fuchs struggled to secure his first win as Newport boss this time in a goalless draw against mid-table Barnet.

Wrexham win an eight goal thriller in exciting comeback

Boxing Day football always delivers its fair share of drama which was embodied this year in the form of Wrexham’s victory over a bottom-half Sheffield United side.

It was goals galore early on as the sides saw themselves level just nine minutes in. Patrick Bamford soon got his second of the day followed by a Callum O’Hare header which saw the Town 3-1 down inside 24 minutes.

Kieffer Moore then pulled one back four minutes later against his former side. Wrexham saw themselves one goal down heading into the break but Ryan Longman levelled the contest six minutes into the second half.

Wrexham’s persistence in front of goal was rewarded in the 76th minute when Nathan Broadhead set up Moore to score his second and put the Town ahead at a crucial time in the game.

The home side’s comeback was completed as Josh Windass converted a penalty in the 81st minute, bringing the score line to 5-3 at full time.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was pleased with his team bouncing back after going five games without a win before Friday:

“We’re not going to get too high with tonight, but we’re going to enjoy the moment as well because that was us, kind of in periods of the game, right at our best.

Bravery and character comes in many forms, and you need to show it when you’re losing 3-1 at home, coming on the back of a defeat last Friday.”

Cardiff remain league leaders with victory over Exeter

Cardiff also found themselves back to winning ways on Boxing Day as they sent themselves three points clear at the top of League 1 with a deserved win against Exeter.

The Bluebirds were coming off of a loss to second-place Lincoln and were keen to regain their form.

A struggling Exeter side did not arrive at the Cardiff City Stadium to roll over though, and defended well throughout the first 45 minutes to keep the score line goalless at half time.

Cardiff managed to break through eight minutes into the second half though. Alex Robertson flawlessly brought down a brilliant pass over the top from Dylan Lawlor, and fired the ball past Exeter keeper Joe Whitworth.

Robertson was denied by Whitworth from an ambitious free kick attempt earlier in the game but was more clinical from close-range, netting his first of the season.

The Cardiff midfielder almost found himself bagging an assist after cleverly returning a one-two to Cian Ashford who hit the post.

Yousef Salech collected the rebound, sending the ball back towards goal, but Whitworth palmed his attempt over the bar.

Late goals from second place Lincoln and third place Bradford kept Cardiff close in the title race, as dropping points would have meant that the Bluebirds go five points clear at the top.

Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy recognised how this was his side’s first win on Boxing Day in 13 years:

“I was slightly concerned before the game when I was told about Cardiff’s record on this corresponding day in previous years. It was a big motivation to try and put that right and I’m over the moon with the players.”

Swansea unable to stop relentless Coventry

As Wrexham, Cardiff and Newport all found themselves playing at home on Boxing Day, Swansea had the challenge of travelling to league leaders Coventry.

Former Swansea captain Matt Grimes, who had spent 10 years at the club, was reunited with his old team for the first time after leaving for Coventry at the start of the year.

The Swans’ notable chance in the first half came from Zan Vipotnik who saw his shot deflected from close-range.

But it was Ephron Mason-Clark who had the decisive moment for Coventry in the second half. As defenders scrambled to clear Milan Van Ewijk’s long throw into the box, the ball bobbled out to Mason-Clark who fired it home on the turn to break the deadlock.

Liam Cullen came fractions away from equalising as he met Ethan Galbraith’s cross to the back post but lifted his shot over the bar from yards out.

Swansea manager Vitor Matos reviewed the 1-0 loss: “There are always things we can improve on and one area is how clin­ical we are with our fin­ish­ing.

Cov­entry are a good team and are top of the league. You know when you go against a team like that you need to take your chances.”

Newport continues search for first win under Fuchs

Newport County were hoping for some festive fortune to change their current run of form as they hosted mid-table Barnet on Boxing Day.

County had two close chances in the first 20 minutes from Michael Spellman and Cameron Antwi but both were met with strong last-ditch defending and were cleared off the line.

Barnet grew into the game and came daringly close in the closing moments. As a corner was swung into the crowded box, attempts were fired towards the goal only to be met by bodies as Newport held onto their clean sheet.

The result means Newport remain at the bottom of League 2, but are now four points away from safety.

Newport boss Christian Fuchs said:

“I think we were the only team out there that looked a threat. We could have gone ahead.

But I also liked to see our team under pressure in the second half and they stayed resilient. I never had the feeling that we would concede a goal.”

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