Phil Parkinson Explains Where Wrexham Went Wrong After Missing Out on Promotion

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Phil Parkinson Explains Where Wrexham Went Wrong After Missing Out on Promotion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated May 2, 2026 10:52 AM ET

The EFL Championship regular season has ended, with Wrexham playing its last match at home against Middlesbrough. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and the result means that Wrexham finished 7th in the league table.

Wrexham finishing 7th means that they will not be promoted to the Premier League next season after missing out on the promotion playoff spots, which are from 3rd to 6th.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough has finished between those positions and will play in the promotion playoffs. Middlesbrough will play Southampton in the promotion playoff semi-final, and if they win, they will play Millwall or Hull City in the promotion playoff final at Wembley Stadium.

All the goals between Wrexham and Middlesbrough arrived in the first half, with Tommy Conway scoring the opener for Middlesbrough in the 4th minute.

Wrexham turned things around with goals from Josh Windass and Sam Smith. Just before halftime, David Strelec scored the equalizer for Middlesbrough. In the second half, Wrexham looked for the third goal, which would have given them the 6th position and the promotion playoff spot, but the match ended as a draw.

Josh Windass of Wrexham looks dejected following the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and Middlesbrough at Racecourse Ground on May 02, 2026 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson gave his thoughts about the team's draw that rules them out of the promotion playoffs.

Phil Parkinson on Wrexham Conceding 'Soft Goals'

After the match, Phil Parkinson expressed frustration following a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, which sees his team finishing 7th in the league table and missing out on promotion playoffs.

The aim was clear in reaching promotion to the Premier League, but Parkinson believes his team shouldn't have conceded 'soft goals'.

Parkinson said, "The goals [we conceded] are soft because I felt at 2-1 we had Middlesbrough where we wanted them really. We were in the ascendancy; we were getting some great areas. The second goal was an outstanding bit of play, and you can see that the second [Middlesbrough] goal flattened us out. Second half, we responded. We had a couple of key moments to have gone and got the third goal, but it wasn't to be."

The Wrexham manager was happy to see his team respond with two goals after going 1-0 down in the 4th minute of the match, but he was not pleased with the second goal they conceded.

Parkinson said, "I think on the day we gave a lot, didn't we? Going a goal down early, the response was outstanding. I think the second goal was a really, really poor one to concede…We had moments to get ourselves into the playoffs, but it wasn't to be, but I don't think we could have done a lot more in terms of the effort of the lads today and the performance level against a really good side."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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