Wrexham bow out of Cup with heads high

RED DRAGONS CAN TAKE HEART IN PLAYOFF DRIVE AFTER PUSHING PREM LEAGUE STARS ALL THE WAY

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HELSEA twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham.

With Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in attendance, the ambitious North Wales outfit were dreaming of a famous victory when they took the lead at a raucous Stok Cae Ras through Sam Smith.

A fortuitous own goal allowed the sluggish Londoners to equalise but the Red Dragons' hopes were rekindled with an improvised finish from Callum Doyle 12 minutes from time.

Yet it was not to be as Josh Acheampong levelled for a second time and Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro secured Chelsea's quarterfinal spot in extra time after the hosts had George Dobson sent off.

Wrexham felt they deserved more and thought they had made it 3-3 before Pedro's late strike through Lewis Brunt but his effort was ruled narrowly offside by VAR in a pulsating finish. It was a heartbreaking way for Wrexham’s cup run to end but, nevertheless, the occasion marked another notable chapter in their remarkable rise.

The club were playing in the National League three years ago and as they press for a fourth successive promotion, there is genuine hope the ilk of Chelsea could be visiting more frequently in the near future.