Wrexham's fairytale return to Championship ends in 96th-minute heartache

Wrexham were denied a Hollywood-style ending on their return to the second tier of English football on Sunday morning (AEST) when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to steal a 2-1 win.

Josh Windass’ penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked enough for Wrexham’s first win in the Welsh team’s first game back in the division in 43 years.

But in the dying stages, Ryan Manning equalised in the 90th with a brilliant free kick over the wall inside the right post and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th minute.

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Wrexham - playing in their first Championship game for 43 years - missed numerous changes to build on their lead before the Saints snatched it late.

“It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today ... we had a chance to kill the game off,” manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports.

Wrexham have enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, rising from non-league competition in England's fifth tier.

But the season opener against Southampton proved just how tough it can be.

“I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters,” Parkinson added.

“It was one of those moments where you kind of reflect back a little bit because of where we’ve come from, and for me to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven’t got something out of the game says a lot for the squad.”