Wrexham have been left crestfallen after losing a 2-0 lead to Peterborough United, losing in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy.
Wrexham were looking to book a spot at Wembley as Peterborough United arrived at the STōK Cae Ras on Wednesday night.
The Posh have struggled in League One this season but Darren Ferguson wanted to ruin a potential ‘Hollywood final’ between Wrexham and Birmingham City.
For most of the game, Wrexham appeared Wembley-bound as Modou Faal and George Dobosn secured a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Peterborough were dangerous in the first half though and hit back after the break with Malik Mothersille pulling one back before Bradley Ihionvien’s injury-time leveller.
The game went straight to penalties and with Wrexham still rocked from that late leveller, the Posh held their nerve to complete a remarkable fightback.
Wrexham fans on Harry Ashfield
This is such a huge missed opportunity for Wrexham and fans will be left wondering just what on earth happened in that second half.
Wrexham could and should have put the game away and conceding that late leveller will feel like a punch to the stomach.
There won’t feel like much to shout about for Wrexham fans right now, but if there is one major positive from the night, it was the performance of Harry Ashfield.
Teenager Ashfield was brought into the midfield amid Andy Cannon’s season-ending injury with Parkinson putting major faith in the youngster.
Ashfield was brilliant throughout and Wrexham fans took to social media to praise his superb display.
One fan on X said ‘Ashfield starts in the league for me. Turns on the ball, runs at his man, gets at people. Give him the keys!’
Another tipped Ashfield for a big role, suggesting ‘Ashfield is a proper player, already have our replacement for Cannon’.
‘Harry Ashfield what a player’ said one Wrexham fan whilst another stated ‘Ashfield been superb tonight’.
Harry Ashfield hype grows amid Max Cleworth rise
We have mostly seen Phil Parkinson recruit experience throughout this Wrexham rise.
The proven quality of players such as James McClean, Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee, Ollie Palmer and Steven Fletcher have enabled Wrexham to rapidly reach League One.
Ultimately though, Wrexham are also looking to bring young players through as well.
Max Cleworth has risen up through the ranks and has certainly become one of the first names on Phil Parkinson’s team sheet.
Unearthing a talent like Cleworth from the local area was a real find, but Wrexham may well have struck gold again with Ashfield.
Wrexham’s rapid rise makes it difficult for young players to emerge but Ashfield is showing that he could make that jump.
We would love to see more of Ashfield before the season ends, but the EFL Trophy is now out of the way, Elliot Lee is back and Wrexham are focused on promotion.
Chances may be few and far between now but Ashfield has certainly shown that he deserves to be around the first-team picture.