Wrexham suffers rude awakening in return to Championship

Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style return to English soccer's second tier on Saturday, when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win.

Josh Windass' penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked as if it would be enough to secure the Welsh side a first win in its first game back in the division after 43 years.

But, Ireland defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant freekick over the wall finishing inside the right post, and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th at St. Mary's Stadium.

"I think, when we reflect, it's a very proud day for the club to be playing at this level, and there were a lot of positives for us," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

"The new lads came in and have done really well, but the existing players, as well, I thought were really good.

"That gives us great heart for the season ahead."

Wrexham missed numerous chances to build on its lead. Ryan Hardie might have sealed the win in the 87th minute, but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped the Scottish forward's left-footed shot just wide.

"It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today," Parkinson told Sky Sports. "We had a chance to kill the game off. To be fair to Ryan, the keeper has made a brilliant save."

Southampton went closest before the break, when Jay Robinson struck the post. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong's effort from the rebound off the line. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 games of Premier League experience.

Wrexham has enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Just three years ago, Wrexham was playing non-league soccer in England's fifth tier.

After three straight promotions, Wrexham is in the Championship. It's one tier below the Premier League and renowned as one of the toughest divisions in soccer. Something Wrexham is now painfully aware of.

Parkinson noted that Southampton, which won just two games in the Premier League last season, has "a multi-million-pound bench to throw on" as substitutes.

"I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters," he added. "Because of where we've come from, and, for me, to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven't got something out of the game says a lot for the squad."

Agencies