Match report

Wrexham 2–2 Middlesbrough: League Two Side Stuns Championship Rivals

Wrexham
Wrexham
2–2
FT
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
May 2, 2026

In a remarkable encounter, Wrexham managed to hold off Championship side Middlesbrough to secure a 2-2 draw. The League Two side stunned their higher-ranked opponents with two quick goals from J. Windass and S. Smith, but Middlesbrough's resilience saw them level the score with strikes from T. Conway and D. Strelec.

Key Facts

  • • T. Conway (4') opened the scoring for Middlesbrough
  • • J. Windass (28') equalized for Wrexham
  • • S. Smith (41') gave Wrexham the lead
  • • D. Strelec (44') leveled the match for Middlesbrough
  • • Wrexham made multiple substitutions, including George Dobson, O. Rathbone, I. Kabore, and D. Scarr

Lineups

Wrexham

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 21 D. Ward (G)
  • 5 D. Hyam (D)
  • 24 D. Scarr (D)
  • 2 C. Doyle (D)
  • 12 I. Kabore (M)
  • 37 M. James (M)
  • 15 G. Dobson (M)
  • 14 G. Thomason (M)
  • 10 J. Windass (F)
  • 20 O. Rathbone (F)
  • 28 S. Smith (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. Okonkwo
  • 33 N. Broadhead
  • 18 B. Sheaf
  • 27 L. O'Brien
  • 13 L. Cacace
  • 47 R. Longman
  • 19 K. Moore
  • 7 D. Keillor-Dunn
  • 4 M. Cleworth

Middlesbrough

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 31 S. Brynn (G)
  • 12 L. Ayling (D)
  • 6 D. Fry (D)
  • 29 A. Malanda (D)
  • 2 C. Brittain (M)
  • 18 A. Morris (M)
  • 16 A. Browne (M)
  • 3 M. Targett (M)
  • 11 M. Whittaker (F)
  • 9 T. Conway (F)
  • 13 D. Strelec (F)

Substitutes

  • 32 J. Wildsmith
  • 25 G. Edmundson
  • 45 J. Sarmiento
  • 8 R. McGree
  • 27 S. Hansen
  • 14 A. Gilbert
  • 20 M. K. Sene
  • 22 S. Silvera
  • 23 L. Castledine

Timeline

  1. Middlesbrough
    4' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Conway
  2. Wrexham
    28' Wrexham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Windass
  3. Wrexham
    41' Wrexham Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Smith · Assist: I. Kabore
  4. Middlesbrough
    44' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Strelec · Assist: Matt Targett
  5. Middlesbrough
    46' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Browne · On: R. McGree
  6. Wrexham
    62' Wrexham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: George Dobson · On: B. Sheaf
  7. Wrexham
    63' Wrexham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Rathbone · On: N. Broadhead
  8. Middlesbrough
    71' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Strelec · On: J. Sarmiento
  9. Middlesbrough
    71' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Whittaker · On: L. Castledine
  10. Wrexham
    73' Wrexham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Kabore · On: R. Longman
  11. Wrexham
    73' Wrexham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Scarr · On: K. Moore
  12. Wrexham
    83' Wrexham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. James · On: D. Keillor-Dunn
  13. Middlesbrough
    87' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Luke Ayling · On: M. K. Sene

Match Stats

Stat Wrexham Middlesbrough
Fouls 11 5
Pass Accuracy 82% 84%
Offsides 1 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 20 11
Corners 6 3
Total Passes 449 489
Yellow Cards — —
Blocked Shots 7 2
Shots on Target 8 5
xG 1.70 2.12
Shots off Target 5 4
Possession 48% 52%
Goals Prevented -0.18 -0.18
Accurate Passes 368 411
Shots Inside Box 10 8
Saves 2 6
Shots Outside Box 10 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Wrexham's quick response goal by J. Windass within 24 minutes of Conway's opener shifted momentum in their favor
  • ▸ S. Smith's strike put Wrexham ahead just minutes later, showcasing their strength and determination against Championship opposition
  • ▸ D. Strelec's goal for Middlesbrough in the 44th minute marked a crucial turning point, as it allowed the Championship side to maintain hope and eventually secure a draw