For fans of schadenfreude there was plenty to enjoy at the Cae Ras as Wrexham and Middlesbrough saw their dreams dashed. The latter fell short in their unlikely attempt to reach the Premier League automatically, while the former missed out on the playoffs thanks to this final-day draw.
Wrexham were aiming to secure sixth, but finished two points behind Hull, who beat Norwich 2-1, to miss out on a fourth successive promotion. The odds were always stacked against Boro, with the point ensuring a two-legged clash with Southampton. Wrexham briefly led after Josh Windass and Sam Smith turned things around after Tommy Conway’s opener, but David Strelec ensured neither team would be celebrating at full-time.
The away end was awash with superheroes including Batman to Parmo Man as Middlesbrough sought their own footballing legend, but they needed help from elsewhere, which was not forthcoming.
As a goal went in at Portman Road, Conway started the rollercoaster by steering home a Callum Brittain cross at the near post. Danny Ward will take some blame for his failure to grab the ball, allowing Conway to pounce and drop Wrexham out of the playoff positions.
View image in fullscreen Wrexham celebrate after Sam Smith puts them 2-1 ahead. Photograph: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock
The carnival atmosphere continued for those who had travelled from the north-east, despite Ipswich easing their way back to the Premier League. The tension increased for Wrexham, who found plenty of promising positions on the edge of the area, but fell short of ideas when it came to finding a final pass.
If open play is not working, then it is a sensible idea to have a player who can bend a free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards. Windass took his time to line it up and offered Sol Brynn no chance of reaching it, as the noise and optimism returned for the north Walians.
Quick Guide Championship roundup: Hull battle back to claim final playoff spot Show Hull secured their place in the Championship playoffs thanks to a brace from Oli McBurnie during a 2-1 comeback win at home to Norwich. With Wrexham and Derby having both faltered, the Tigers seized their moment to regain a top-six finish – a position in which they have occupied for most of the season – after they came from behind at the MKM Stadium. Norwich were the best side in the Championship last month and, even with nothing to play for other than personal pride and improved contract negotiations, deservedly opened the scoring through Mo Toure. Hull had been awful until that 26th-minute goal, but charged back into the game two minutes later when McBurnie equalised from the penalty spot. And with favourable results elsewhere, Hull fans were left to dream of a potential return to the Premier League after McBurnie stabbed home his 20th goal of the season after 67 minutes. At the other end of the table Sheffield Wednesday claimed their first Championship home win of the season in front of new owner David Storch as they beat West Brom 2-1 to finally wipe out their 18-point deduction. Arise Capital Partners, which is led by Storch, has completed the acquisition of the Owls and the American was out on the pitch before kick-off to address the fans of his new club. The new owner also confirmed that the Owls would be starting life in League One without a points deduction, much to the delight of the sold out home crowd. Southampton made it 19 Championship matches without defeat as they finished the season with a 3-1 win against Preston at Deepdale. Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ superb 12th-minute header opened the scoring and Ross Stewart doubled the lead with a well-taken second after 47 minutes. Lewis Dobbin capitalised on a Daniel Peretz howler to halve the arrears on the hour but substitute Cyle Larin tapped home to seal the win in stoppage time. Stephy Mavididi gave League One-bound Leicester something to cheer about at the end of a miserable campaign as his late goal secured a 1-0 win at Blackburn. An Ellis Simms hat-trick and a Viktor Torp piledriver ensured that Coventry signed off on their Championship title-winning season in style with a one-sided 4-0 victory over a sorry Watford side at Vicarage Road. Cheered on by around 2,000 fans bedecked in sky blue, Frank Lampard’s side ended a memorable season with 95 points and 97 goals. Adam Idah came off the bench to score twice as Swansea ended their season with a 3-1 win at home to Charlton. Sheffield United staged a second half comeback to win 2-1 at Pride Park and end Derby Championship playoff hopes. Derby were in control at the break through Sam Szmodics early goal but the visitors came back strongly to dash the home side’s dream of a top-six finish. A mistake by Joe Ward allowed Tom Cannon to level before a strike from Sydie Peck turned the game on its head. Adrian Segecic’s excellent end-of-season form continued as Portsmouth played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Birmingham at Fratton Park. Goals from Delano Burgzorg and substitute Sam Bell saw Roy Hodgson end his short spell as Bristol City interim head coach with a 2-0 victory over Stoke at Ashton Gate. Photograph: Matt Wilkinson/Shutterstock Editorial Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback.
While Wrexham’s midfield offers a workmanlike consistency, Issa Kaboré was the biggest threat to the Middlesbrough backline. He repeatedly drove at Matt Targett who coped well until the 41st minute, when Kaboré finally found an extra inch to thrash in a cross Smith was there to meet at the front post with a bullet header, to give Kaboré his eighth assist of the season and put Wrexham back up to sixth.
The rollercoaster continued on track, with Strelec levelling things on the day, even if Boro’s chances of moving into the top two were already over. It was a lesson for the Welsh side as they briefly lost concentration again, with another cross, this time from Targett, creating the equaliser.
View image in fullscreen David Strelec makes it 2-2 for Middlesbrough, scoring the goal that denied Wrexham a playoff spot. Photograph: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock
As Ipswich and Millwall cruised, the Wrexham playoff conundrum was the only aspect that needed an answer. With half an hour remaining, sitting outside the top six, finding a way to win was the only thing occupying minds. There was no lack of effort, but the quality in the final third was letting them down and Middlesbrough were finding joy on the counter.
With parity at Derby and Hull, Wrexham were looking down on their rivals, but were in desperate need of added security. The supporters brought a few more decibels with the aim of inspiring, feeling they could play a keep role in the tightest of battles for sixth.
Things were changing elsewhere as Derby went behind and Hull ahead, moving the Tigers above Wrexham. In the meantime, it was becoming quiet here. Phil Parkinson sent on the striker Kieffer Moore for the centre-back Dan Scarr in search of the goal that was required.
A combination of Ward and the impressive Callum Doyle kept things level as they put their bodies on the line to repel Leo Castledine. This was what the situation necessitated, but Wrexham were still unable to cause problems at the other end.
View image in fullscreen Wrexham fans look dejected as the dream of a fourth straight promotion dies. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
Windass had the best opportunity to secure immortality in these parts, but he thrashed over from inside the box with four minutes on the clock. Everyone thought it was the defining chance of the match and, in the circumstances, the season, as it petered out in disappointment for both sides. But Middlesbrough still have a chance for glory.