Phil Parkinson feels his Wrexham side delivered a performance the club's fans, staff and owners could relate to as they defeated Championship leaders Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground.

Second half goals from George Thomason and Ollie Rathbone earned the Red Dragons a crucial victory as Boro's 11-game unbeaten league run was ended.

It was the perfect response from Wrexham on the back of what was a lacklustre display against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane five days earlier.

"As I said to you after the game on Friday, all I ever want and all the owners want is the honesty in the performance which our fans can relate to," said Parkinson.

"That's why there's been a great connection between the supporters and the players, owners and myself because, in general, they've seen honesty and commitment and that's what the club's all about.

"I'm just really pleased. We're not getting carried away, but we upset a good team tonight."

The Wrexham boss added: "Middlesbrough know they've been in a game tonight.

"My, Steve [assistant coach, Parkin] and the rest of the staff's mantra since day one is that if anyone comes to the Racecourse, they've got to know that they've been in one hell of a game, and I think the Middlesbrough players know that tonight."

Speaking in his post-match press conference after the victory over table toppers Boro, Parkinson - a boyhood Middlesbrough supporter - revealed his father has recently been unwell.

The 58-year-old boss paid a touching tribute to his father in the aftermath of the victory.

"I'd just like to make a special mention to my dad, he's been ill over the last few weeks," he explained.

"I know how much that performance will have lifted him tonight, watching back home in Stockton-on-Tees with a lot of his friends, Middlesbrough fans as well.

"I just can't wait to speak to him on the way back."

Sam Smith was absent from the matchday squad for the victory over Kim Hellberg's side.

The striker sustained a knee injury in the latter stages of Wrexham's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday night.

Prior to the win against Middlesbrough, Parkinson confirmed the 28-year-old was set for a spell on the sidelines.

In the aftermath of the contest, the manager revealed Smith is set to undergo surgery next week and will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

"Unfortunately with Sam, he's done his cruciate," Parkinson added.

"He's going to be out for nine months and faces the operation next Wednesday."

Wrexham have been dealt numerous injury issues this season, with Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, Liberato Cacace and Callum O'Hare among those currently sidelined.

But Parkinson said he would not accept players feeling sorry for themselves, something he felt may have been the case at Sheffield United last time out.

"We've had injuries in other years, we've had setbacks, we've always dug deep," Parkinson said.

"I felt at Sheffield United we looked like a team that had almost taken one blow too many, but I'm not accepting that."