Wrexham squeezed past Crewe Alexandra to reach the last eight of the Northern section of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
Wrexham put the League One campaign on the back burner on Tuesday night as Crewe Alexandra visited in the EFL Trophy.
Phil Parkinson coasted through the group stage with wins over Salford City and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as a draw against Port Vale.
Wrexham were therefore given a home clash in the knockout stages with Crewe Alexandra the opponents at the STōK Cae Ras.
This wasn’t a classic by any means with Crewe testing debutant Brad Foster on multiple occasions, but Wrexham secured the win.
Aaron James headed home Paul Mullin’s cross to score the only goal of the game, booking Wrexham’s passage into the next round.
Brad Foster helps Wrexham claim another clean sheet
Wrexham will probably play better and lose between now and the end of the season but Parkinson will be happy with another 1-0 win.
That is five clean sheets in a row and four 1-0 wins in a row with Wrexham grinding out results.
Even with a much-changed back line and new goalkeeper between the sticks, Wrexham still kept a clean sheet.
Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton are both injured and with Wrexham unable to take a risk on Mark Howard, new signing Brad Foster started between the sticks.
The 23-year-old would have been forgiven for being a little rusty given that he has been a free agent to start the season.
Foster was brilliant though, making a number of fine saves to keep Crewe at bay.
One save with his feet in the first half was a little strange but Foster commanded his area well with claims and punches to frustrate Crewe.
Foster was named Man of the Match as a result, no doubt impressing Phil Parkinson in the process.
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Wrexham fans on Brad Foster
Wrexham fans have now taken to social media to comment on Foster’s display with widespread acclaim for the new stopper.
One Wrexham fan stated ‘Will admit to being uneasy with the GK being young and untested. Kudos to Foster! Can see why Parky trusted him today’.
Another agreed with that sentiment by saying ‘Brad Foster showed he’s a good keeper based on his first half performance’.
One fan added ‘Brad Foster seems up to the task’ whilst another added ‘can we keep Brad Foster please’, seemingly already keen to see him stay a little longer.
‘Clean sheet on debut, impressive start for Foster, think he’s done enough tonight to partner chomp til Arthur’s back, save business in jan’ said another supporter, believing that Foster deserves to compete with Howard for now.
It’s clear that Foster impressed on Tuesday night and fans will be comfortable with seeing him start in goal again down the line.