Wrexham have knocked Preston North End out of the Carabao Cup after a brilliant second-half fightback at Deepdale.
After knocking Hull City out in the first round, Wrexham were hoping to get the better of another Championship side on Tuesday night.
Wrexham travelled to take on Preston North End at Deepdale and looked to be heading out of the competition at half-time.
PNE took a 2-1 lead into the break and arguably could – or even should – have been 3-1 up at half-time.
However, Phil Parkinson was able to engineer a fine second-half display, and Harry Ashfield’s deflected strike pulled Wrexham level.
Substitute Kieffer Moore won it late on, scoring from close range after an error from North End goalkeeper Jack Walton.
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Preston North End boss on Kieffer Moore goal
Moore simply had to bundle the ball home after Walton failed to deal with a high ball in the box.
PNE players looked for a foul, believing that Moore had impeded Walton, but nothing was given.
North End striker Michael Smith was also involved, attempting to shield Moore away from the ball – but the Wrexham forward would not be denied.
Paul Heckingbottom was asked about the incident after the full-time whistle, but the PNE boss completely shot down the idea of a foul.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Heckingbottom admitted that he didn’t see any foul and had no complaints, even suggesting that too many fouls are given in the modern game anyway.
“No,” said Heckingbottom when asked if there was a case for a free-kick.
“If people show me an angle where it will change my mind… I can’t stand where the game is going anyway, with how little contact is allowed in the game now. It’s terrible to watch… terrible, so in my eyes, I don’t want fouls given for that.
“You want him to come and catch, but I think it’s always split-second decisions. You’ve got two big units between you, and it’s the lack of pace on the ball, I think that makes it difficult.
“There may be an angle, if Kieffer’s arm is across him, I’ve not seen it, but I’m not saying it’s a foul there, from where I was stood,” he added.
Kieffer Moore making the desired impact for Wrexham
Wrexham signed Moore from Sheffield United this summer, and the idea appeared clear from the very first mention of his potential arrival.
Parkinson loves using target men in attack, and Moore is one of the very best at Championship level.
Ollie Palmer has been Wrexham’s star target man in recent years, but he has fallen down Parkinson’s pecking order in 2025.
Moore has now arrived as a clear replacement for Palmer, and the early results have been positive.
The Welshman scored twice against Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend and has now added another goal to his tally with his winner against PNE.
Moore’s aerial and physical ability will be a threat to any defence, and we can only see more goals coming from the giant forward after a brilliant start to his Wrexham career.