Wrexham delivered Hollywood drama as they moved within seven points of automatic promotion to the English Football League (EFL) after edging a 3-2 thriller against fellow title contenders Notts County on Monday, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty save by former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Foster, who came out of retirement last month to help solve a goalkeeping injury crisis at Wrexham, saved Cedwyn Scott’s spot-kick six minutes into stoppage time to seal a dramatic victory at the Racecourse Ground that leaves the Welsh team on the brink of promotion back to the EFL.
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Having suffered a shock defeat at FC Halifax Town on Friday, Wrexham went into the game having surrendered top spot to County with just a month of the season still to play.
But after falling behind to a John Bostock free kick in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Wrexham fought back to surge 2-1 ahead with goals from Paul Mullin and Jacob Mendy before Kyle Cameron equalised for the visitors 15 minutes from time.
Elliot Lee pounced on calamitous defending to restore the lead three minutes later, however, and Wrexham were able to hold onto their lead and the victory, despite a nervous period of stoppage time at the end of the game, thanks to Foster’s heroics.
With Notts County having just three games left to play, the second-placed side can only reach 109 points. Having moved onto 103 points with this win, Wrexham will be able to clinch promotion with a draw at home to Boreham Wood on April 22 if they beat playoff hopefuls Barnet and relegation-threatened Yeovil in their next two games.
Actor Ryan Reynolds and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham in 2021 and vowed to take the club back to the EFL for the first time since relegation in 2008. Their dream could be achieved in under two weeks if Wrexham bank the seven points required to seal the deal.
