Dramatic own goal eases pressure on Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham pulled off a dramatic 2-1 win over Southampton at the STōK Cae Ras, ending the visitors’ five-game unbeaten run in the Championship thanks to a late own goal by Keven Schlotterbeck.
Kieffer Moore put Phil Parkinson’s team ahead in the first half, but former Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse leveled the score soon after halftime. The match looked set for a draw until Jacques Ekomié’s cross was turned into the Southampton net in the 88th minute.
Wrexham started strongly and had the first shot within two minutes. Southampton soon found their rhythm and nearly scored when Finn Azaz got into the box, but Anthony Patterson made an easy save.
Cyle Larin tried a bold shot from near midfield, then later met Ryan Manning’s cross with a free header, but Patterson was in the right spot to save both times.
The Canadian striker came even closer around the 30-minute mark, running onto a pass over Wrexham’s defense. Larin chipped the ball over Patterson, but it landed on top of the net.
Southampton started to take control, but Wrexham scored against the run of play in the 35th minute. Callum O’Hare forced Daniel Peretz to push his shot behind, and from the corner, Moore rose above the defense to head the ball into the far corner.
That goal gave Wrexham a slim lead at halftime, but Southampton responded quickly after bringing on Samuel Edozie for Leo Scienza during the break.
Ward-Prowse levelled in the 50th minute, scoring his first goal since returning to Southampton. Azaz’s cross deflected to him, and after his first shot was blocked, he quickly put it in from close range.
Clear opportunities became scarce as the match neared its end. Josh Windass forced Peretz into a low save in the 80th minute, and five minutes later, Patterson caught Azaz’s deflected shot. With two minutes of normal time remaining. Ekomié advanced down Wrexham’s left and drove a low cross into a crowded penalty area. O’Hare attacked the delivery, but the final touch came off Schlotterbeck, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
The result showed Wrexham’s resilience after Ward-Prowse’s equaliser nearly swung the momentum to Southampton. Parkinson’s team kept pushing for a winner and got their reward for late pressure, enjoying several strong periods and creating enough opportunities to earn at least a point.
After the club's heaviest defeat in years to West Ham, Phil Parkinson found himself under pressure to get a result this weekend, and he showed again why Wrexham are in safe hands.
Wrexham AFC: Patterson (GK), Doyle, Ekomié, Hyam (C), Whiteman, Windass (O’Brien 86), Kaboré, O’Hare, Sheaf (M. James 65), Moore (Smith 72), Vyner.
Subs not used: Ward, Worrall, Cadamarteri, Dobson, A. James, Longman.
Southampton: Peretz, Manning, Downes (C), Scienza (Edozie 46), Larin (Mubama 86), Azaz, Schlotterbeck, Bree (Dobbin, 90+3), Wood, Matsuki (Fellows 76), Ward-Prowse.
