Paul Mullin produced a familiar flash of late drama on Saturday, scoring a 90th-minute winner for Rotherham United against Chesterfield just two months after his Wrexham AFC career came to an end.
The striker came off the bench to capitalise on a defensive error and secure a 2-1 win at the New York Stadium. It was his first goal for Rotherham since signing in July and gave manager Alex Bruce his first league victory in charge.
For anyone who watched Mullin during his five years at the Racecourse, the timing felt familiar. His overall start at Rotherham has been modest, but when the game needed deciding, the 31-year-old was there.
Paul Mullin’s late winner felt familiar
BBC Sport recorded Mullin’s decisive intervention, a 90th-minute goal after coming on during the second half against Chesterfield.
It was his first goal in four competitive appearances for Rotherham, following starts against West Brom, Cheltenham and York City.
One goal in four games doesn’t mean Mullin is suddenly back to his devastating best. But the manner of it would have looked familiar to anyone in North Wales.
Wrexham fans know this story well
Mullin’s reputation at Wrexham wasn’t just built on his goal tally. It was also about when he found the net.
Wrexham’s own look back at Mullin’s defining moments included the extraordinary stoppage-time double against Stockport County in the 2022 FA Trophy semi-final. He scored in the 91st and 95th minutes to send Wrexham to Wembley.
There was another huge late contribution against Sheffield United in January 2023. Mullin scored in the 86th minute to put Wrexham 3-2 ahead in a memorable FA Cup tie, although the Championship side eventually rescued a draw.
That knack for decisive moments is exactly why Saturday’s winner will have raised a smile among plenty of Wrexham supporters.
A goal after a challenging season
Mullin’s goal also came after a difficult 2025/26 campaign. He spent the season on loan, first at Wigan Athletic before that spell was cut short in January and then at Bradford City.
BBC Sport reported his Wigan return before the Bradford move. Across the two loan spells, Mullin made 35 appearances and scored five times in all competitions.
His Wrexham contract was terminated by mutual consent on 26 June. Mullin left with 110 goals in 172 competitive appearances, making him the club’s ninth-highest men’s goalscorer.
Whatever comes next, those numbers have already secured his place in Wrexham history.
No one should read too much into a single League Two goal. But a 90th-minute winner after a tough year felt very much like the Paul Mullin fans came to know.
Different club, new chapter, but the instinct is still there. He’s still got it.
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