FA Cup: Wrexham 3-3 Sheffield United – Egan’s late goal denied Wrexham victory

John Egan’s stoppage-time purpose saved Sheffield United in opposition to out-of-league Wrexham in a frantic FA Cup fourth-round match.

Targets from James Jones and Tom O’Connor put the Welsh aspect forward earlier than Oliver Norwood equalized for the Blades, who had Daniel Gibson despatched off.

A Paul Mullen purpose 4 minutes from time appeared to have brought about a shock, however captain Egan equalized late on.

Egan’s stoppage time purpose proved to be the newest twist to an enthralling match that pitted the Nationwide League leaders in opposition to the Championship’s second staff.

Wrexham’s co-owner, Hollywood celebrity Ryan Reynolds, was on the racetrack to see his staff put in an enormous displaying of their first Spherical 4 look since 1997.

Naming an unchanged staff, Dragons coach Phil Parkinson stated the purpose was to make the afternoon “as powerful as attainable” for a visiting aspect in search of a spot within the Premier League.

Parkinson accepted Wrexham, who had been unbeaten in 16 league video games, and entered the sport as underdogs – simply as they’d accomplished earlier than the earlier spherical’s Championship victory over Coventry.

Sheffield United made 5 adjustments to the staff that beat Hull Metropolis 1-0 to increase their unbeaten run to 9 matches.

And from the kick-off, the Blades confirmed their resolve, successful with a nook kick within the opening minute that the returning McBurney headed house.

Wrexham’s hopes had been dealt a double blow as defenders Jordan Tunnicliffe and Aaron Hayden needed to go away the sector as a consequence of accidents after simply seven minutes into the match.

However the hosts responded positively to these setbacks, with Mullen main the cost as he appeared so as to add to the seven targets already scored within the competitors this season.

The guests appeared harmful within the first half and a strong shot and a later shot from Gibson was saved by Mark Howard, denied former Blades goalkeeper Tommy Doyle quickly after.

Each groups performed their half in an entertaining and complete cup match that didn’t cease at any stage.

Elliott Lee curled a shot from the sting of the restricted space earlier than Mullen was introduced down on the sting of the field by Egan, however his free-kick hit the United wall.

After ending the primary half strongly, Wrexham bought off to a robust begin within the second half.

Captain Luke Younger’s shot was saved by Adam Davies and Mullen failed to complete off the rebound earlier than the United protection pulled away.

However the hosts equalized within the fiftieth minute when O’Connor’s trademark lengthy throw from Ben Tozer pounced on substitute Jones.

Wrexham had been then on high and when the United protection did not clear a nook kick within the 61st minute, O’Connor fired the ball into the web to ship the house followers into ecstasy.

The celebrations had barely died down when Paul Heckingbottom’s males equalized in entrance of half-time after 4 minutes.

Wrexham did not clear substitute Billy Sharp’s cross and Norwood coolly fired previous Howard after a primary attempt that was saved.

A powerful and tense encounter took one other flip when Gibson was proven a crimson card within the 71st minute after an off-the-ball conflict with Tozeur, kicking the defender.

Wrexham pressed for the win and with 4 minutes of the 90 remaining, Mullen collected a go from substitute Sam Dalby earlier than slotting the ball beneath Davies for his twenty seventh purpose of the season.

However their hopes of including one other scalp to their illustrious FA Cup historical past had been dashed in damage time, as Egan slotted house from a Doyle nook to make sure the edges would meet once more at Bramall Lane to resolve who made it to the fifth spherical.

Wrexham supervisor Phil Parkinson stated:

“The beginning we had, conceding a purpose and dropping gamers, for the staff to reset itself as we thought was nice.

“One much less group of gamers would have been crushed 4 or 5 to nothing there. We needed to re-shake the staff, and the way in which we bought our composure again was completely superb.

“We bought to half-time and I feel at half-time we’ll get again into the sport. We took the sport to Sheffield United, and nailed it for lengthy intervals.

“Clearly it is an actual hit that we have not gotten over, so it is blended emotions as you’ll be able to think about.

“However the way in which the boys had been acting on the large stage was superb.”