Wrexham rose back into second place in League One with a vital 2-1 victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

James McClean bagged his fourth goal of the season on the hour mark to put the visitors in front.

Ollie Rathbone doubled Wrexham's lead three minutes later with his seventh goal of the campaign.

Rob Apter set up a nervy ending as he netted in the fifth minute of added time, but Wrexham held on as the race for a top-two spot in the third tier took yet another twist.

Victory on the Blackpool coast ensured Phil Parkinson's side rose back into the automatic promotion spots following Wycombe Wanderers' loss to Charlton Athletic.

Wrexham now sit two points above the third-placed Chairboys with two matches remaining of the regular season.

Blackpool - who had won six of their previous eight games prior to facing Wrexham - are nine points adrift of sixth-placed Leyton Orient in 10th with just three games left to play.

The visitors edged the opening stages as Rathbone tested Harry Tyrer, although clear cut chances were few and far between early on.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney was among the 2,000 or so supporters in the away end at Bloomfield Road.

And the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor could be forgiven for wondering how he and those fans around him were not celebrating in the first half as Parkinson's men turned the screw.

Former Republic of Ireland international McClean appeared destined to open the scoring as he cut in from the left before firing goalwards, only to be denied by a stunning Tyrer save.

The goalkeeper then produced a fine reflex save to keep out Jay Rodriguez's strike, although Arthur Okonkwo tipped over a Apter shot at the other end as the score remained level at the break.

McClean spurned another chance to open the scoring shortly after the break as he could only head George Dobson's cross over.

Albie Morgan fired over for Steve Bruce's side who were bidding to keep their faint top six hopes alive with a victory.

But the away side took the lead as McClean's curling strike from the corner of the 18-yard box flew through a crowded box before going into the net.

It got better for the Welsh side just three minutes later as Rodriguez teed up Rathbone who slotted into the bottom corner to double Wrexham's lead - sparking wild scenes of celebration in the away end.

Apter slotted beyond Okonkwo deep into added time, although Wrexham held on for a 10th away league victory of the campaign to stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches and bolster their hopes of clinching a third successive promotion.

Wrexham host fourth-placed Charlton - who are four points behind the Red Dragons - on Saturday before travelling to Lincoln City for their final fixture a week later.

Bruce's side face Wigan Athletic, champions Birmingham City and Bristol Rovers over the remainder of their run-in.

Blackpool manager Steve Bruce:

"There's no doubt the better team won. We didn't play well enough on the day in a big occasion against a very good team.

"You can see why they're at the top end of the league. They were better in every department than we were today and that's the harsh reality of it.

"We stuck at it and got a goal late on."

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson:

"I'm so pleased today, I thought we were very accomplished in everything we did.

"In possession I thought we were very good today, really positive. We had two great chances in the first half, but it was a case of more of the same after the break.

"Credit to the lads, they responded brilliantly. There was a bit of negativity after we didn't win last week (against Bristol Rovers) and I said to the lads to block it out.

"We're not going to get carried away the other way because people might start thinking 'we've done the job now'.

"I've said to the lads, 'we're blocking everything out' and concentrate on what we need to do in the dressing room, and we're going to be ready for next Saturday (against Charlton Athletic)."