Wrexham striker Paul Mullin compared to Diego Maradona and branded ‘EMBARRASSING’ for handball goal

Paul Mullin has been compared to Diego Maradona after appearing to use his hand to score for Wrexham against Grimsby in the National League play-off semi-final. 

The striker was at the heart of the drama in a crazy game that finished 4-4 after extra time with Grimsby winning it just before it went to penalties. 

Having scored 26 times in the regular season, Mullin netted twice at the Racecourse but both goals were clouded in controversy. 

Paul Mullin has been compared to Diego Maradona after his handball goal against Grimsby

He opened the scoring from the penalty spot after going down relatively easily in the box, before his ‘Maradona’ moment in the second half. 

It was 2-2 at the time, when the ball was lofted to the back post where Mullin was waiting to put Wrexham in front. 

On first glance it seemed as if the 27-year-old had headed the ball in, but replays showed that it was actually his hand that got the decisive touch. 

‘Mullin digging deep for his inner Maradona,’ one fan tweeted. 

‘Yesss Wrexham!’ another said. ‘Paul Mullin with the best handball since Maradona.’

Mullin had earlier opened the scoring in the game with a penalty after winning a soft foul

Wrexham’s co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching on at the Racecourse

‘Mullin-dona, anyone?’ a third joked. ‘Amirite?’

Meanwhile, one supporter dubbed the goal ‘Hand of Mullin’. 

However, other viewers were not keen on making light of the situation. 

‘So embarrassing from Wrexham this,’ a fan tweeted. ‘Mullin diving for the first penalty and handball for the third.’

Mullin made a surprising move to Wrexham after finishing as League Two’s top scorer last year