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Wrexham manager glad Ryan Reynolds on hand for heroics against Forest / Photo: © AFP
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Wrexham manager glad Ryan Reynolds on hand for heroics against Forest
Phil Parkinson was delighted Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds witnessed a finish worthy of one of the American actor's Hollywood movies as the Welsh club knocked Premier League Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup.
Second-tier Wrexham won 4-3 on penalties in front of their own fans at the Racecourse Ground after drawing 3-3 following extra time, having led 2-0 and 3-1 in a classic Cup thriller.
"I had a chat with him before the game and it was great to see him over here with his family," said Wrexham manager Parkinson of the "Deadpool" star.
"I think Ryan's mum was here tonight, which was for the first time. So it's really special and I hope they've enjoyed the night."
Welsh club Wrexham, who play in English competitions, have enjoyed three successive promotions since Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2021.
Wrexham, on a run of four successive Championship wins, kicked off against a much-changed Forest, with the priority for Sean Dyche's men avoiding relegation from the lucrative top flight
Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone scored in quick succession late in the first half to leave Wrexham in command at 2-0 come the interval.
Igor Jesus replied for Forest before Dominic Hyam restored the Red Dragons' two-goal advantage.
Forest substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi, however, took the tie into extra time with two fine finishes, the second in the 89th minute.
But goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo proved to be Wrexham's leading man with two superb shootout saves from Jesus and Omari Hutchinson.
"We had to rally the troops a bit in the break, because I think the whole ground had gone flat," Parkinson told TNT Sports.
"You get that feeling 'have we lost our best chance to get through and beat a Premier League team'?
He added: "It's a huge night for us and I'm pleased for this group of players to write their own bit of history in the club's rich heritage in the FA Cup."
Wrexham have performed several giant-killing feats in the FA Cup through the years, beating the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham.
But this was the first time they defeated top-flight opponents in the knockout competition for 26 years.
Forest boss Dyche pulled no punches about a first-half display that eventually led to an early exit for last season's semi-finalists.
"The first half is completely unacceptable," he said.
"I've let certain individuals know that and they've got to look in the mirror."
L. Dias--JDB
