Match

111th-minute moment in Wrexham win over Millwall proves ‘fantastic’ star now ready to step up for Parkinson

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Wrexham continued their Championship campaign on Saturday afternoon with an away trip to Millwall.

The Red Dragons have had a tough start to their league season, failing to win against Southampton, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday.

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      Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday

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      West BromWest Brom

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      WrexhamWrexham

A draw last time out was technically a step in the right direction, though giving away a two-goal lead against a weak side did feel more like a loss.

Phil Parkinson’s team to face Millwall had Wrexham fans asking questions, with no Nathan Broadhead in the team.

It was an OK first half from the Welsh side, though, who managed to go in at the break without conceding a goal.

However, they did lack much of an attacking threat, with an ambitious Ryan Hardie effort from outside the box the only test of note from the away side.

Phil Parkinson smiles after Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round clash.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Wrexham player can step up after Millwall win

In the second half, however, Wrexham took the lead shortly before the hour mark.

Kieffer Moore impressed fans after he opened the scoring and added a fourth goal to his account since joining from Sheffield United.

When all was said and done, after a lengthy stoppage following an injury to Danny Ward, Wrexham beat Millwall 2-0.

Lewis O’Brien scored a second goal after the stoppage to ensure all three points were heading back to North Wales.

But another player did something late in the tie to prove he is now ready to step up in the Championship.

The injury to Ward was horrible, and every fan will be hoping he makes a speedy recovery from the issue.

In the meantime, Arthur Okonkwo is expected to regain his place as the number-one goalkeeper while the Welsh international is sidelined.

And he has already proven, after just one short appearance in the Championship, that he can cut it.

Arthur Okonkwo in action during Lincoln City FC v Wrexham AFC in the Sky Bet League One clash.
Photo by Chris Vaughan/Getty Images

Arthur Okonkwo proves he is ready for Championship

When Ward was taken off, Okonkwo had the daunting task of making his second-tier debut against Millwall.

The home side were putting the Dragons under heavy pressure late on and called the former Arsenal man into action.

In the 111th minute, Mihailo Ivanovic fired off a right-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Okonkwo got down brilliantly and saved well – an act that went somewhat unnoticed, given much of the attention has been on Wrexham winning their first second-tier match in 43 years.

However, it should give some encouragement to Parkinson that while Ward is out, the Englishman can fill his boots over the coming weeks.

Humphrey Ker thinks Okonkwo is ‘fantastic’ and he should now get a chance to prove that in England’s second division.