Wrexham ride rollercoaster to knock Nottingham Forest out of FA Cup

Wrexham's enchanting journey with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney carried on as they eliminated Premier League side Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup via a thrilling 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout on Friday.

Arthur Okonko delivered cinematic heroics by saving penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari, while Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason, and Jay Rodriguez all netted successfully for Wrexham.

Goals in the opening period by Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone gave Wrexham the upper hand.

However, Jesus responded with a goal to narrow the gap, before Dominic Hyams diving header extended Wrexhams lead to two goals with 16 minutes remaining.

Forest replacement Callum Hudson-Odoi then struck twice with superb finishes, including an equaliser in the 89th minute, yet Wrexham triumphed after extra time failed to produce a winner and with replays no longer part of the FA Cup format.

The Welsh outfit Wrexham, competing in English leagues, have secured three promotions in a row since Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2021.

Wrexham, enjoying four straight Championship victories, began the match against a heavily rotated Forest team, as Sean Dyches squad focuses on staving off relegation from the profitable Premier League.

The opening 45 minutes were utterly disappointing, Dyche remarked. I made sure the players understood that, and certain individuals need to reflect on their performance.

Yet, the unpredictable nature of the game shone through, as the substitutes in the second half performed admirably, making us resemble a top-flight team once more.

In other Friday fixtures, League One outfit Wigan, who stunned everyone by lifting the 2013 FA Cup, secured a 1-0 away triumph over Championship promotion contenders Preston, while Port Vale, languishing at the foot of League One, overcame fourth-tier Fleetwood 1-0.

Championship side Oxford, fighting to stay up, advanced past League Two Milton Keynes Dons on penalties 4-3 following a 1-1 stalemate.

The third round marks the entry point for clubs from the Premier League and Championship into the planets oldest major knockout tournament in football.

Reigning champions Crystal Palace travel to non-league Macclesfield on Saturday, joined by eight-time winners Tottenham Hotspur who host Premier League foes Aston Villa.

Sundays top-flight clash sees Manchester United entertain Brighton at Old Trafford, recreating the 1983 final where United prevailed after a replay.

Premier League frontrunners Arsenal visit Championship battlers Portsmouth on Sunday.