Wrexham were beaten 1-0 at Harrogate Town on Sunday afternoon, dumping Phil Parkinson out of the FA Cup in the process.
The FA Cup has been a source of joy for Wrexham fans in recent times.
Wins at Coventry City and Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup were away days to remember in this incredible Wrexham rise.
Sunday’s trip to Harrogate Town will not join that list though after a difficult defeat at the League Two side.
Jack Muldoon’s first-half goal proved to be the winner as Wrexham fell to a 1-0 defeat in Yorkshire.
Wrexham had plenty of the ball and took so many shots but just couldn’t break through and find an equaliser.
BBC pundit suggests Wrexham star’s quality wasted
Wrexham had the chances to score but didn’t take them on the day.
Paul Mullin’s wayward finishing left Wrexham fans frustrated and when the ball did end up in the net, it was ruled out.
Modou Faal was praised by Phil Parkinson but he was ruled to be offside after heading home from close range.
This was just a frustrating day all around for Wrexham and former Welsh international Kevin Ratcliffe believes one player’s quality went wasted.
Ratcliffe has criticised Wrexham’s approach against Harrogate, believing that Parkinson’s side simply stopped playing football.
Pundit Ratcliffe has also told BBC Sport that he felt substitute James McClean was really making an impact with some ‘quality crosses’ in the box.
However, Ratcliffe suggested that Wrexham players were nowhere near those crosses, letting McClean’s quality go to waste.
“Since James McClean has come on for Wrexham, he’s put in three quality crosses and nobody is anywhere near it,” said Ratcliffe.
McClean came on around the hour mark and tried to drag Wrexham back into the game but it just wasn’t to be.
James McClean surely set for immediate starting recall
McClean was left on the bench against Harrogate with Sebastian Revan handed a starting role at left wing back.
Revan has plenty of potential but didn’t quite take his chance to shine against Harrogate, leading to him being substituted for McClean on the hour mark.
McClean is one of the main players Parkinson can rely on – hence being given the captaincy this season.
The Irishman is surely set to walk straight back into the Wrexham starting XI against Mansfield Town this weekend, replacing Revan at left wing back.
McClean may be 35 but his importance to this Wrexham side cannot be overlooked and Parkinson will be relying on him to help Wrexham hit back at the first opportunity this weekend.
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