Wrexham's Frustration in Welsh Derby Draw with Cardiff City

Phil Parkinson left the Cardiff City Stadium furious with his side’s finishing – and with the clock – after a 98th‑minute free-kick robbed Wrexham of a statement Welsh derby win over Cardiff City.

Wrexham had led from the third minute, Kieffer Moore striking early to silence the home crowd and briefly script the perfect start to their Championship campaign. From there, the visitors repeatedly carved Cardiff open, carrying the greater threat for long stretches of the night.

They should have been out of sight. Wrexham wasted a string of chances to stretch their lead and twice rattled the woodwork, letting Cardiff cling to hope they scarcely deserved on the balance of play.

The punishment arrived at the death. With virtually the final kick, Rubin Colwill stepped up and hammered a free-kick beyond the Wrexham defence, the equaliser landing like a punch to the gut for Parkinson and his players.

“We've had chances to kill the game off. We haven't taken them, the keeper's made saves, but we haven't really made him make a top-class save,” Parkinson said, his frustration clear.

“We knew we could give Cardiff problems and time and time again we did. Really in the cold light of day, the game should have been out of sight, but it wasn't.”

A performance to encourage. A result to sting. And a ruthless edge Wrexham must find quickly if this Championship season is to match their ambition.