Wrexham snatched a last-gasp winner to secure their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
After a difficult first half that Preston dominated, Wrexham produced an excellent second half performance to turn the tie around.
Phil Parkinson was pleased with Callum Doyle’s debut during the 3-2 victory but it was Kieffer Moore that was the hero with his winner from the bench.
The victory gives the Red Dragons a chance at securing a glamour tie against Premier League opposition in the next round, but Parkinson will be pleased with the victory for another important reason.
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Phil Parkinson has chance to play Wrexham fringe players after Carabao Cup victory
Parkinson has labelled Moore as ‘magnificent’ and his late goal means that Wrexham are in the hat for the third round of the Carabao Cup, giving Parkinson another opportunity to hand minutes to players not involved in league action.
Parkinson has kept a consistent selection in the Championship so far and the likes of Eoghan O’Connell and Elliot Lee have only featured in the cup competition.
Last season, the Red Dragons had the luxury of the EFL Trophy to give minutes to fringe players and it was that competition where Ollie Rathbone and Lewis Brunt made their case for the first-team.
Rathbone played as many EFL Trophy games as league games in the opening months of last season before becoming an integral part of the team and eventually winning the club’s player of the year.
Whoever Wrexham face in the next round, it now gives Parkinson another opportunity to experiment with his line-up and perhaps find his next gem that will make a huge impact on the league form.
Wrexham end 44-year wait for second round Carabao Cup success
The 3-2 win at Deepdale was a significant moment for the Red Dragons as they ended a 44-year wait to get past the second round in the competition.
Wrexham’s last appearance in the third round was back in the 1981-82 season, where they eventually faced Tottenham Hotspur.
There have been some excellent runs in the FA Cup under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney but they are yet to face top-flight opposition during their reign.
That could all change as the Premier League’s European contingent join the competition at the third round stage and all eyes are on the draw.