For fans of schadenfreude, there was plenty to enjoy as Wrexham and Middlesbrough saw their dreams ended on the final day of the Championship season. Middlesbrough fell short in their unlikely attempt to reach the Premier League automatically, while Wrexham missed out on the playoffs thanks to this 2-2 draw.
Wrexham were aiming to secure sixth place, but finished two points behind Hull, who beat Norwich 2-1, ending their hopes of a fourth successive promotion. The odds were always stacked against Middlesbrough, who with the point ensured they will be at home for the first leg of their playoff semi-final against Southampton.
Wrexham briefly led after Josh Windass and Sam Smith turned things around following Tommy Conway's opener, but David Strelec ensured neither team would be euphoric. When Nathan Broadhead pulled the ball back to Windass late on, everyone expected a rifling shot inside the area to find the back of the net, only for him to rush the shot, sending it into the stands. Some will see it as season-defining for Wrexham, but it was just one of many moments across 46 matches, culminating in a seventh-placed finish.
Parkinson Reflects on Season
"We took the fight to the wire, it just wasn't to be on the day," Phil Parkinson said. "We could not have asked the lads for more. We enjoyed the season so much, we didn't want it to end. To finish seventh is an incredible achievement at this level."
Wrexham were ineffective in the final third and did not merit victory on the day. They often found themselves in very promising positions, but lacked a killer instinct. There is realism around the club, where it is accepted this team is not good enough for the Premier League. Four years ago, they were in the National League; regardless of what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested, moving up so quickly is a huge challenge. They have done their best to move with the times, but of the current squad only Callum Doyle is an obvious top-flight player.
Match Action
The away end was awash with superheroes, including Batman and Parmo Man, as Middlesbrough sought their own footballing legend, but they needed favours from elsewhere, which were not forthcoming. In the nervous tension, there was a willingness to find enjoyment in the bank holiday sunshine.
As a goal went in at Portman Road inside three minutes, Conway started the rollercoaster in north Wales 60 seconds later by steering home a Callum Brittain cross at the near post. Danny Ward will take some blame for his failure to grab the ball, allowing Conway to pounce.
If open play is not working, then it is a sensible idea to have a player who can bend a free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards. Windass took his time to line it up and offered Sol Brynn no chance, as the noise and optimism returned for the north Walians.
Issa Kaboré repeatedly drove at Matt Targett, who coped well until the 41st minute, when Kaboré finally found an extra inch to thrash in a cross that Smith met at the front post with a bullet header, putting Wrexham back up to sixth.
The tumultuous nature continued, with Strelec levelling things on the day, even if Middlesbrough's chances of moving into the top two were already ended. It was a lesson for the home side as they briefly lost concentration again, with another cross, this time from Targett.
As Ipswich and Millwall cruised and Middlesbrough's fans continued the carnival in one corner, only the Wrexham conundrum remained. Things changed elsewhere as Derby went behind and Hull ahead, moving the Tigers above Wrexham. In the meantime, it was becoming quiet here. Parkinson sent on Kieffer Moore for Dan Scarr, striker for centre-back, in search of the required goal, but it changed nothing.
Player Reaction
"The standard has been set and we want to go one better next season," Dom Hyam, the Wrexham defender, said. "We are an ambitious group, we signed some top quality players in the summer and January, so there's a lot of disappointment. I am sure within 24 hours we will feel a lot of pride."
Playoff Preview
Middlesbrough against the highly-confident Southampton in the playoffs will be a thrilling tie. "This is a great chance for us. We have a 25% chance of ending up in the Premier League, we will do everything we can to take that chance," Kim Hellberg said. Their supporters enjoyed the party in Wales, but there is business to attend to, which could result in the biggest of all celebrations.
