Salford City’s Bristol Street Motors campaign looks set to end at the first hurdle after an agonising late 2-1 defeat by Wrexham in Wales.
Karl Robinson’s side were poised to earn a well-deserved point on the road after Conor McAleny cancelled out Paul Mullin’s stunning long-range effort.
But with less than 10 minutes left on the clock, Will Boyle rose highest at the back post to ensure the Ammies left the Racecourse Ground empty-handed.
Salford started the first half brightly and came inches away from racing into an early lead when Kelly Nmai failed to turn home Matthew Lunds low cross, under heavy pressure from Luke Bolton.
The League One leaders made the breakthrough after just 18 minutes when Paul Mullin – Wrexham’s top scorer last season – curled a shot into the top corner from outside the box.
Salford worked their way back into the ascendancy, with Lund at the heart of their attacking play, drawing a fine save from Wrexham keeper Callum Burton before the break.
McAleny restored parity early in the second half. The attacker rounded off a slick Salford City move, waltzing onto Hakeeb Adelekun’s lay-off to sweep the ball low into the bottom corner.
Shocked into action, Wrexham’s quality began to tell as Paul Mullin clipped the bar, stretching for Bolton’s driven cross.
With time running out and Salford tiring, Boyle climbed high above his marker to head in Seb Revan’s deep delivery, sealing all three points for the home side.
Defeat in our second group stage game.#WRXSAL pic.twitter.com/kPnjKFmQs0
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 10, 2024
While defeat to Wrexham means that Salford’s Bristol Street Motors bid has all but mathmatically ended at the earliest stage, Karl Robinson was left positive by his side’s spirited performance.
“Sometimes the difference between good teams and good players, and average teams and average players, is fine margins and fine margins don’t come through a lack of luck it comes through the fine detail and we’ll strive for that,” he said.
“I thought we were the better team, I thought we played really well, I thought we asked questions of the opposition, I thought we looked organised, I thought we were disciplined against a good team. We denied them any sort of dominance in the game I felt, but you end up getting beat and that’s all that ever matters.
“We’ve got two big home games now where we want to get people behind us and give them something to cheer, and to get back-to-back wins in the league. Right now it’s full focus on winning at the weekend.”
The Gaffer reflects on tonight's game at Wrexham in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy 👇 #WRXSAL
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 10, 2024
Salford City return to League Two action this Saturday, Robinson’s men will take on 15th-place Cheltenham Town at the Peninsula Stadium. (3 pm Kickoff).
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