Wrexham joy at big win dented by losing striker Sam Smith for season

Wrexham defeated Championship leaders Middlesbrough 2-0, with late goals from George Thomason and Oli Rathbone lifting the team after back-to-back losses to Blackburn and Sheffield United. However, the victory was overshadowed by the news that striker Sam Smith, 28, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Friday, ruling him out for approximately nine months. Smith had started all 13 of Wrexham's league games this season, and manager Phil Parkinson confirmed surgery is scheduled for the following Wednesday.