Wrexham AFC wing-back Ryan Barnett wanted to get suspension out of the system

RYAN BARNETT was eager to make a big impression on his return to action and the wing-back is looking to pick up where he left off when Wrexham face Sutton United at The STóK Cae Ras tonight.

Barnett was sent off after making a late challenge in the 3-3 League Two draw with Crewe Alexandra on September 30 and the club’s appeal against the red card was unsuccessful.

After serving a three-game ban, Barnett was back in the side at Bradford City on Saturday and he announced his return with an assist in the 1-1 draw. SIGNED | Wrexham sign Ryan Barnett from Solihull Moors - News - Wrexham AFC

The 24-year-old was a threat down the right in the first half and although Wrexham were on the back foot after the break, he managed to set up Paul Mullin as the Reds took the lead.

Bradford scored a late equaliser but Barnett felt he got the suspension out of the system by helping his side pick up a valuable point.

“The referee made the decision and the FA chose not to overturn it so I had to get on with it,” said the former Solihull Moors man.

“It was obviously very frustrating to be out for a few weeks.

“It was not through injury, it is through my actions on the pitch so that was disappointing but it was a great feeling to be back out there.

“It was the longest few weeks of my life!

“I think I just put the frustration of the last few weeks into the game; I was trying to win every header and every tackle, and put balls in good areas.”

Mullin was unable to make the most of two superb crosses by Barnett before the break but that changed in the 68th minute.

Although Bradford piled on the pressure in the second half, Wrexham took the lead when Barnett’s floated cross was headed home by the Reds’ star striker.

“We are very resilient as a team,” said Barnett.

“We will keep fighting until the death.

“I was just waiting for that one opportunity in the second half where we switched the ball out to me.

“I know that Mulls and Ollie Palmer are going to be in that kind of area so I just thought put it in there and hopefully it will go in, and luckily it did.

“It was really good to get back on the pitch and hopefully I can build on it.”

Wrexham extended the unbeaten run to six games in all competitions and climbed up to fourth in League Two, five points behind leaders Stockport County.

Barnett was pleased with a point in west Yorkshire heading into the home game with bottom of the table Sutton.

“We worked hard and we got the goal,” said Barnett.

“We were disappointed to concede but I think we will look back at it as a really good point.

“Bradford had won three in a row and with the amount of people there, we will definitely take a point.

“It is a point gained, we haven’t come away with nothing and I think the performance was really good as well.

“We will go into Tuesday night and build on that.”