Wrexham are through to the second round of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic victory over Hull City at the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday night.
Phil Parkinson’s first Championship game of the season ended in defeat over the weekend, as Wrexham lost 2-1 at Southampton.
Late drama saw the Saints score twice late on to flip the game on its head, and Wrexham pulled off a similar fightback against Hull City.
Elliot Lee fired Wrexham in front, but Hull appeared to be coasting through with a 3-1 victory after goals from Oli McBurnie, Joel Ndala and Matt Crooks.
Ollie Palmer proved to be the unlikely hero, though, as the big striker came off the bench to score two brilliant headers in a matter of seconds to make it 3-3.
Wrexham prevailed on penalties, scoring all five spot kicks to secure a place in the second round – and here are five talking points from Tuesday’s victory.
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All hail Ollie Palmer
Wrexham fans know the situation Ollie Palmer has found himself in during 2025.
The target man was an integral part of Wrexham’s rise from the National League, but has been gradually dropping down the pecking order.
Parkinson has made Palmer available, and many expected him to leave the club before the summer transfer deadline.
Palmer was given a chance off the bench against Hull, though, and seized that opportunity brilliantly with two goals to save Wrexham.
Palmer has been an incredible character during Wrexham’s journey and you will do well to find a fan who isn’t beaming with glee after the striker’s brace.
Maybe this was one final night of magic for Palmer in a Wrexham shirt, or maybe it can be the start of a return; all we know is that Palmer deserves all the praise coming his way after this result.
Elliot Lee not going out without a fight
Wrexham’s influx of new signings means fan favourites could follow Paul Mullin out of the club.
Reports suggest Elliot Lee could leave Wrexham, with the midfielder regularly dropping out of the starting XI in 2025.
Lee was given a chance to make an impact against Hull, landing a starting role in Parkinson’s three-man midfield.
Lee opened the scoring for Wrexham, and while there was some help from a deflection, he earned that slice of fortune with a nice burst and turn inside the box.
Perhaps Wrexham will still look to move Lee on before the summer transfer deadline, but this was a welcome reminder of what he can offer in the final third.
Harry Ashfield’s potential on show again
Parkinson not only handed a chance to Lee, but also brought youngster Harry Ashfield into the midfield.
We saw Ashfield in limited minutes last season, and the teenager certainly didn’t disappoint.
Ashfield featured from the start on Tuesday night and again showed glimpses of his talent.
Ashfield almost sent the STōK Cae Ras wild at 1-1, but his brilliant curling strike just went past the post.
Wrexham fans would love to see Ashfield play Championship minutes this season, and this display against a direct rival may just give Parkinson some confidence that he can handle second-tier action.
Defensive concerns on show
Parkinson switched up his back three against Hull, with Eoghan O’Connell and Aaron James flanking Dan Scarr.
The Wrexham boss may be a little concerned with some of the defending on show, though, especially for Hull’s second and third goals.
Both Ndala and Crooks found acres of space in the centre of the goal to comfortably tap home goals without much pressure.
Wrexham have been so solid defensively under Parkinson, but there were concerns during pre-season, and those goals conceded against Hull were not a great watch.
Parkinson will accept that he named a fairly experimental back line and that may not be on show in the Championship, but it’s just something he will keep an eye on moving forward.
Wrexham’s late shows won’t end now
Wrexham have pulled off some remarkable late shows under Parkinson, regularly scoring late goals to swing games at the death.
That has certainly been on show at the STōK Cae Ras in the last four years and seemingly won’t be ending this season either.
Palmer’s late heroics will grab the headlines, but this was also another case of Wrexham refusing to lie down even when down by two goals late on.
That mentality has been drilled into this Wrexham squad, and any team clinging on against the Red Dragons in the dying embers this season may have reason to be fearful.