You're invited to our Euros Fan Fest in London!

Snubbed Grealish must leave City to revive England career

Every team's potential breakout star at Euro 2024

bet365 bonus code 365GOAL: Get Free Bet Credits for Football in June 2024

Earps & the women’s stars to track in the transfer window

Arsenal legend confirms comeback talks with Arteta

No Ronaldo, no party as toothless Portugal lose to Croatia

Tuchel makes decision on replacing Ten Hag after Man Utd talks

Liverpool announce Alan Hansen is 'seriously ill' in hospital

‘Born to break records’ – Messi sets bar ‘for world football’

'Fire this guy' - Kilbane slammed for 'shameful' Saka comments

Endrick lives up to the big moment again for Brazil

Heading to the United States? ‘Holidays start’ for Lehmann

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Welsh outfit match their efforts from 2023-24</li><li>Shrews unable to take their chances</li><li>Parkinson’s men hoping for big draw in fourth round</li></ul>

Wrexham get slice of luck! Big misses & deflected goal deliver FA Cup joy for Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney as Red Dragons edge derby date with Shrewsbury to reach round four

Phil Parkinson’s side made the short trip to The Croud Meadow hoping to replicate their heroics from last season – when they saw off Championship side Coventry to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-billy-sharp-jibe-wrexham-response-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/bltca3cf24dd1c34e79" target="_blank">book a fourth-round date with Premier League-bound Sheffield United</a>. Local rivalry added extra spice to a contest in Shropshire, with the League One hosts determined not to buckle under pressure from fourth-tier opponents.Wrexham loaded their ranks with attacking firepower, but the likes of Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher barely had a sniff as the Shrews found a way of frustrating opponents that are usually full of goals. It was the home side that created the better opportunities, with Tunmise Sobowale somehow managing to fire over the top of a gaping net midway through the first half.Mullin did have one poked effort from a tight angle beaten away early in the second 45, but it was Shrewsbury that looked the more likely to force a breakthrough – with Mal Benning hitting the top of the crossbar just past the hour mark. The only goal of the game arrived in the 72nd minute, with O’Connor bundling in from close range via a huge stroke of luck, with more glorious chances passed up by the hosts in the closing stages.

TELL ME MORE

Wrexham were crying out for a hero, and would have expected that to be somebody like prolific frontman Mullin or talismanic midfielder Elliot Lee. Irish defender Thomas O’Connor was the unlikely match-winner, though, as he found himself in the right place, at the right time. His strike, after being teed up inside a crowded penalty area, was not the cleanest but had enough on it to flick off an outstretched leg and over the helpless Marko Marosi.<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deadlock broken in the derby 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/Wrexham_AFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Wrexham_AFC</a> get the breakthrough and celebrate in front of their fans ♥️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EmiratesFACup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EmiratesFACup</a> <a href="https://t.co/2HIMlPNTbS">pic.twitter.com/2HIMlPNTbS</a>— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/1744020285693505896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</center>

THE MVP

Shrewsbury will believe that they should be looking ahead to the FA Cup fourth round, but they were unable to take any of the opportunities that came their way. Tunmise Sobowale had the best of those in the 26th minute, but fluffed his lines in spectacular fashion. Arthur Okonkwo may have done just about enough to put him off, as he flew across his goal, but the Shrews midfielder was only three yards out and should have hit the back of the net – rather than row Z of the stand.

THE BIG LOSER

Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will now have the opportunity to take in another FA Cup experience – if they fancy a trip to British shores – having attended the Sheffield United home tie last season. The Red Dragons will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/when-is-the-fa-cup-fourth-round-draw-date-time-teams-and-where-to-watch-live/blt8022bf02dc0d4acf" target="_blank">discover their fourth round opponents when the draw takes place on Monday</a>.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐

Wrexham get slice of luck! Big misses & deflected goal deliver FA Cup joy for Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney as Red Dragons edge derby date with Shrewsbury to reach round four | Goal.com UK

Wrexham are still in the FA Cup, but the Red Dragons survived a few scares before a deflected strike from Thomas O’Connor edged them past Shrewsbury.

Wrexham get slice of luck! Big misses &amp; deflected goal deliver FA Cup joy for Ryan Reynolds &amp; Rob McElhenney as Red Dragons edge derby date with Shrewsbury to reach round four