The Red Dragons head coach believes his side remain in pole position to claim sixth place, despite a 3-1 defeat to Championship winners Coventry City that leaves the promotion battle heading for a dramatic final day.
After 45 gruelling matches, Wrexham’s season now comes down to one decisive home fixture against Middlesbrough, with Parkinson adamant his squad have both the mentality and resilience to finish the job and secure their place in the post-season.
“After 45 games we’re in the mix and it’s in our hands going into the last week of the season,” said Parkinson.
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Wrexham occupy the final play-off position on goal difference ahead of Hull City, with Derby County still lurking one point behind, setting up a tense conclusion as all three contenders prepare for home finales.
While defeat at the CBS Arena tightened the race, Parkinson’s focus was firmly on the bigger picture – that Wrexham still have the chance to decide their own future.
“It’s all to play for and we’ve got an opportunity next week to get over the line.”
Against a Coventry side already crowned champions and celebrating in front of more than 31,000 supporters, Wrexham showed significant character.
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Brandon Thomas-Asante’s opener could easily have sparked a collapse in a hostile atmosphere, but Ollie Rathbone’s swift equaliser demonstrated why Parkinson believes his players are ready for the pressure of a season-defining finale.
"Going a goal down in this cauldron atmosphere here today, a lesser group could have been beaten by three or four.
"I thought the lads acquitted themselves really well."
For much of the afternoon, Wrexham looked capable of claiming a valuable point, only for substitute Victor Torp’s fierce free-kick to restore Coventry’s lead before Ephron Mason-Clark’s stoppage-time strike added gloss to the champions’ celebrations.
Parkinson felt the final scoreline exaggerated the gap between the teams but stressed the key objective was preserving their slender goal-difference edge over Hull.
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“We knew goal difference was important and we had to make sure we stayed positive above Hull with that, whilst wanting to win the game.
“The third goal is an unfair reflection on the game, but we’re still ahead of Hull on goal difference.
"The third goal is disappointing but hopefully it won't knock the boys, it shouldn't do. We'll be ready for next week."
That final line was Parkinson’s clearest message, that this setback will not define Wrexham’s campaign.
Instead, the manager believes his squad are primed for one last push as they chase a play-off place that remains theirs to secure.
While Wrexham’s attention now turns entirely to Middlesbrough, Coventry boss Frank Lampard used the occasion to celebrate a title-winning campaign that has restored belief throughout his club.
The Sky Blues had already sealed the Championship crown earlier in the week, and Sunday’s victory marked their 27th league win of a remarkable season.
“It felt like a family day for the players and staff and for the fans to enjoy without the stresses of trying to go up or becoming title winners,” Lampard said.
“It needs to remain a special place because it’s been an incredibly supported club in the city, the tradition and history.
“There wasn’t that feeling when I came in – and I know Mark (Robins) had done incredible work as a manager here – because of a lack of confidence and connection at the club.
“But we built that in the second half of last season to where it’s a serious football club in this league, and you have to do that if you haven’t been a Premier League team recently to go up. To be 12 points clear is amazing.”
Lampard also reflected on where this achievement sits in his own decorated career.
“It compares with every trophy I’ve lifted, they’re all amazing. The first one at Bolton (for Chelsea) in terms of the League. The Champions League is extra special because of the stage that it is.
“I can’t put it down in any way because it’s a collective effort and I know the hard work that has gone into it.”
