Significantly for Wrexham - and their scrutinised manager - it was the newly-promoted team’s first home victory in the Championship this season.
Nathan Broadhead’s powerful 14th-minute strike proved decisive at the Racecourse Ground, giving Wrexham a deserved lead before they were forced to dig deep after Callum Doyle’s 67th-minute red card..
Despite being reduced to 10 men, the hosts showed the spirit and discipline that Parkinson believes runs through the club’s DNA as they held on to claim a vital three points and end a four-match winless run.
“The lads did exactly what we asked them to do in terms of imposing our shape onto the opposition,” said Parkinson.
“Everyone did the role for the team in and out of possession. There was a good physicality about the team.
“All the horrible things you need to do on a pitch we did well. Off the back of that, we played some terrific football in the first 30 minutes.”
It was a performance that blended control with courage — the kind of display Parkinson has long wanted his side to produce at Championship level.
“I wanted us to put in a performance that showed what we are all about,” he said.
“There has been a lot of anxiety with new players coming in and not getting that win.
“Putting the result to one side, we wanted to put in a performance which reflects what we are all about as a group and what the club is all about.”
READ MORE: Dom Hyam Admits Wrexham Home Form now Crucial to Prevent Championship Slump
When Doyle was dismissed midway through the second half, Wrexham were forced to show their steel.
“After the sending off, we had to show that grit and determination, which I love to see,” said Parkinson.
“That’s what this team has been all about for the last three years and what we represent.
“I wish we didn’t have to go down to 10 men but when you do, you have to respond and we did.”
The Wrexham boss, however, was frustrated by the referee’s decision to brandish a straight red.
“Callum did go in aggressively but it was low. The ref could have taken a deep breath and given a yellow,” he added.
READ MORE: Wrexham Get Ready to Face Championship “Beast” . . . Seven Deadly Games in 22 Days
Oxford rarely threatened until that point and, despite their numerical advantage, could not find a way through a resilient Wrexham defence.
The result leaves Gary Rowett’s men hovering just above the relegation zone, with the Oxford boss openly questioning his team’s inconsistency.
“It is incredibly frustrating,” said Rowett.
“I got angry in there (dressing room). I am fed up seeing us perform really well one game and look a completely different team in the first 30 minutes of the next.
“We can do a lot of talking but ultimately that’s the hallmark of an average Championship side. We don’t want to be an average Championship side.
“We know if we are average then the reality is, we will be fighting to stay in this league.
“We have got to put in more consistency. As a manager, it is difficult to predict why we can be so good in one game and so poor in the first 30 minutes of the next.
“I don’t know what it is because we have a good mentality as a group.
“They should have come in more than one goal to the good – and I couldn’t have complained.”
For Parkinson, though, this was a landmark win built not just on Broadhead’s clinical finish, but on the resilience and edge that have long been hallmarks of his Wrexham side.
