Parkinson's double frustration as Wrexham denied

WHAT HAPPENED
Wrexham looked set to start the Championship campaign with a win at the Cardiff City Stadium after Kieffer Moore put Phil Parkinson’s side ahead inside three minutes. Wrexham created further opportunities, struck the woodwork twice and were unable to extend their lead.

Those missed chances proved costly when Rubin Colwill struck a free-kick deep into stoppage time to salvage an equaliser for Cardiff, with the goal coming after the fourth official had indicated six minutes of added time.

KEY CONTEXT
Phil Parkinson criticised his team’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and said they had failed to make Cardiff’s keeper produce “top-class” saves despite creating more of the danger on the night. The Wrexham manager also said his side could have better managed the closing stages of the match.

An image caption with the match report notes Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship last season.

WHY IT MATTERS
Wrexham’s inability to finish off chances and to control the end of the game cost them two points from a match they led from near the start. The late equaliser will leave questions over game management in critical moments and about discipline that allowed a late set-piece opportunity.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Parkinson has said he intends to ask match officials about the amount of added time shown; that query remains unresolved.
- How Wrexham address their finishing and late-stage composure in upcoming fixtures will be a key indicator of whether this was a one-off lapse or a recurring problem.

KEY FACTS
- Kieffer Moore scored for Wrexham in the third minute.
- Rubin Colwill struck a free-kick in the 98th minute to level the game.
- The fourth official had displayed six minutes of added time.
- George Dobson fouled Joel Colwill in the final seconds of the indicated stoppage time before the equaliser.
- Wrexham hit the woodwork twice and missed further chances.
- An accompanying caption states Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship last season.