The Reds are up to third in the table, five points behind leaders Stockport County, after Saturday’s brilliant 2-0 win at rivals Notts County extended the unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.

The league programme is put on hold tomorrow when Wrexham face Mansfield Town, who are unbeaten in the fourth tier this season, at Field Mill and the Reds are home to Port Vale next Tuesday in their final EFL Trophy group game.

Promotion is the priority but Parkinson does not consider the cup ties to be an unwelcome distraction.

“I don’t look at it as a shame,” he said.

“I always look forward to FA Cup weekend.

“Obviously Mansfield away isn’t the tie we wanted because we wanted a home tie but equally, it is another interesting game against a team which we have played once already this season.

“Mansfield have had an amazing start to the season but we go there looking to try and progress into round two.”

Wrexham came through October unbeaten despite having a tough fixture programme which included the goalless draw at Mansfield.

Parkinson wants his side to pick up where they left off this month when they take on the Stags in the cup.

“When the fixtures came out, I think everybody looked at October and thought ‘that is going to be some month!’,” he added.

“To come through it the way we have is enormous credit to everybody.

“We are pleased with the way we finished the month with the win at Notts County who we knew was always going to be a difficult game.

“We want to freshen up from the league mentally which is great for us and start our November in styl