Wrexham crashed out at the first round stage of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at the hands of Championship side Sheffield United.
Phil Parkinson made 10 changes to the side that secured a 3-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, with Callum Burton, Lewis Brunt, Dan Scarr, Sebastian Revan and Oliver Rathbone all making their full Wrexham debuts.
The contest got off to a flying start for the Welsh side, who opened the scoring inside half an hour through centre-back Will Boyle. He got on the end of a Dan Scarr knockdown to rifle the ball home.
However, their joy was short-lived as another defender, Auston Trusty, equalised proceedings from a corner with a powerful header, despite the best efforts of James Jones on the line.
Parkinson’s men played on the counter-attack for most of the contest and could have taken the lead on the stroke of half time but Revan’s prodded effort went agonisingly wide of the post.
That was as good as it got for the visitors, who conceded on the hour mark through a Brunt own goal and then a third when Louie Marsh converted a rebound after Burton saved Rhian Brewster’s penalty.
Wrexham did show their spirit till the very end and did look dangerous once the likes of Elliot Lee, Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott were introduced but were unable to claw back the deficit, conceding a fourth in the dying embers before Revan emphatically dispatched a consolation.
Parkinson will have been disappointed to bow out of the Carabao Cup, especially conceding four goals, though it now means they can place full focus on their league campaign. Up next is a tough trip to Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
Here is how the players rated –
Callum Burton – 6
Couldn’t do anything about Trusty’s header but was solid on his Wrexham debut and showed why he’s a worthy deputy for Arthur Okonkwo. Pulled off multiple important saves, including one to deny Rhian Brewster from point-blank in the first half however, he was unable to prevent their second. He also produced a fantastic stop to save Brewster’s penalty but Louie Marsh slammed in the rebound.
Lewis Brunt – 6
Max Cleworth dropped out for new signing Lewis Brunt, who was a calming influence on the right of a back three. The 23-year-old showed pinpoint accuracy with his passing and put in a solid shift when tested defensively. Couldn’t do much about his own goal as the ball was flashed into him.
Dan Scarr – 6
Grabbed the assist for Boyle’s opening goal and looked like an assured presence at the back on his competitive Wrexham debut. He rarely put a foot wrong at the back; headed everything that came his way and did his best to nullify the threat of Rhian Brewster, who was lively on the night.
Will Boyle – 6
Was in the thick of the action all night both defensively and offensively on his return to the side. Forced Ivo Grbic into a fine stop inside the first minute and then opened the scoring after 25 minutes, slamming home after Dan Scarr knocked the ball down.
Dealt with the threat of Owen Hampson down the right pretty well, winning two ground duels and making two clearances.
Luke Bolton – 6
Replaced Ryan Barnett in the side this evening and was solid defensively until he tripped Trusty inside the box and handed Sheffield United a penalty.
With Wrexham forced into defending a lot, the 24-year-old rarely had a chance to use his lightning pace going forward.
James Jones – 5
Was making his first competitive appearance for Wrexham since a 1-0 victory over Notts County in February and the Scotsman failed to impose himself on the contest, winning just two of his duels and recording a lowly 66% pass completion.
The energetic midfielder was unfortunate to not deny Trusty his headed equaliser. He cleared the ball off the line but the referee adjudged it to have gone over.
George Evans – 7
Evans, who was left out of the opening day win over Wycombe Wanderers, showcased his class at the base of midfield. He was near faultless in possession and screened the defence well.
James McClean – 6
Was the only survivor from the side that started against the Chair Boys on Saturday, which tells of his importance to Parkinson and his incredible energy levels.
Tonight, he started on the left of a midfield three and like Evans, rarely put a foot wrong and held his own against an albeit much-changed Championship side. Also provided some quality into the box, including the cross that led to Boyle’s goal. Was substituted for Elliot Lee on the hour mark.
Sebastian Revan – 7
Worked tirelessly on his full competitive debut for the Reds and when given the opportunity, used his lightning pace to get in behind the Blades back line.
In the first half, he was found with a long ball from Burton and was unfortunate to see his prodded effort skim past the post and made amends when he fired in a consolation late on. Wrexham fans will be excited to see more of the 21-year-old, who will only get better.
Oliver Rathbone – 5
Deployed just in behind Sam Dalby as a second striker and was one of Wrexham’s attacking outlets. The Reds record signing was solid in possession but in a game where Parkinson’s men sat back and countered, they didn’t see the best of him.
Sam Dalby – 5
Dalby earned a rare chance to start for Wrexham but the 25-year-old struggled to impact proceedings and was wasteful when the ball was fired into him, recording just 44% of his passes. His miserable night came to an end when Steven Fletcher replaced him on 62 minutes.
Substitutes: Elliot Lee 6, Steven Fletcher 6, George Dobson 6, Jack Marriott 7, Ryan Barnett N/A.