Heartbreak for Wrexham as USMNT defender Auston Trusty helps Sheffield United dump much-changed Red Dragons out of Carabao Cup with ease

Last season, Sheffield United were in the Premier League while Wrexham were competing in League Two. Now, just one division separates the two clubs - and it was the visitors who took a surprise lead when Will Boyle turned home from close range in the 21st minute.

Their lead lasted just six minutes, goal-line technology confirming USMNT defender Auston Trusty’s header from a Sydie Peck corner had crossed the line. But Wrexham were proving to be no pushovers and could have gone in ahead at half-time, however Seb Revan’s attempt bounced marginally wide.

And Phil Parkinson’s side would come to rue that miss. In the 57th minute, Rhian Brewster fired the ball across the box and Lewis Brunt could do nothing to prevent it from going into his own net.

Louie Marsh then got on the scoresheet to wrap up the win. He was quickest to react after Brewster’s penalty was saved by Wrexham goalkeeper Callum Burton. In the 85th minute, Anis Slimane made it 4-1 to the hosts after Wrexham failed to clear a corner. The Red Dragons did get a late consolation through summer signing Revan, which sparked a scuffle in the goalnet as the visitors looked to restart proceedings, but the final whistle was blown shortly after.

Wrexham and Sheffield United met two seasons in an FA Cup fourth-round encounter for the ages. The first match at the Racecourse finished 3-3, John Egan equalising for the Blades in the 95th minute. In the replay, two more second half injury-time goals crushed Wrexham's hopes of causing an upset as they were beaten 3-1, with Blades striker Billy Sharp causing controversy with some choice words at full time.

Sheffield United have an exciting player on their hands in the form of 19-year-old midfielder Sydie Peck. The teenager played with plenty of confidence and his passing was exquisite; he played a defense-splitting pass in the second half to Owen Hampson that could have led to his second assist of the match. His corner for Trusty’s equaliser was absolutely perfect.

Sheffield United made 11 changes for this encounter, so this was an opportunity for Wrexham to make a statement about their aspirations by fielding a strong side and causing an upset. But manager Phil Parkinson made 10 alterations to the team that beat Wycombe on Saturday, leaving the likes of Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee out of the starting line-up, and it ultimately hurt their chances of reaching the second round.

Sheffield United will discover their second-round opponents on Wednesday evening. Wrexham's attentions, meanwhile, will turn to the league; they take on Bolton on Sunday.