Report, result and goals as Red Dragons down Premier League club

Wrexham picked up a historic FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest on penalties after a breathless match that finished 3-3 after extra-time.

The Championship side produced a fearless first-half display and were rewarded with two well-taken goals that left the Premier League visitors struggling to gain control.

Wrexham’s breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute when Liberato Cacace collected possession outside the area and fired a low right-footed effort into the bottom corner, catching Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels unsighted.

That confidence was reinforced just three minutes later. Nathan Broadhead’s intelligent movement created space in the box, and his pass found Oliver Rathbone arriving late.

Rathbone kept his composure and guided his finish past Sels to give Wrexham a deserved 2-0 lead.

Forest threatened sporadically before the interval, but Okonkwo was largely untroubled as Wrexham carried their advantage into half-time.

Forest responded quickly after the break, with a triple substitution. The changes had an immediate impact, and the visitors pulled a goal back in the 64th minute. Nicolo Savona delivered a cross from the right, which Igor Jesus met with a firm header from close range to make it 2-1.

Momentum, however, swung again in Wrexham’s favour just ten minutes later. From a set-piece situation, George Dobson’s delivery caused problems in the Forest box, and Dominic Hyam rose highest to head in from point-blank range, restoring the two-goal cushion at 3-1. At that stage, Wrexham appeared on course for a famous victory.

Forest refused to relent and gradually turned the contest into a siege. Callum Hudson-Odoi reduced the deficit in the 76th minute, driving a low finish beyond Okonkwo after sustained pressure.

As Wrexham dropped deeper, Forest continued to push numbers forward, and their persistence was rewarded in the 90th minute when Hudson-Odoi struck again, steering home from close range to force extra time.

The additional 30 minutes were played at a relentless pace. Forest enjoyed the majority of possession and created the clearer openings, but Okonkwo produced a series of vital saves, denying efforts from Igor Jesus, Omari Hutchinson and Neco Williams.

Wrexham, meanwhile, remained dangerous on the counter and from set pieces, with James McClean and Josh Windass both coming close.

Penalty heroics

With no further goals, the tie was settled by penalties. Josh Windass and Morgan Gibbs-White converted the opening kicks before James McClean missed for Wrexham, dragging his effort wide. Forest then had the opportunity to seize control, but Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus to swing momentum back toward the hosts.

Both sides continued to score under pressure, with goals from Callum Doyle, Callum Hudson-Odoi, George Thomason and Neco Williams keeping the shootout level.

The decisive moment arrived when Okonkwo denied Omari Hutchinson, diving low to his right to make a second crucial save.

That allowed Jay Rodriguez the opportunity to win it, and the experienced forward calmly dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner to secure a 4-3 shootout win.

The result marked a significant achievement for Wrexham, who will hope to face another Premier League giant in the fourth round.