Wrexham out of Carabao Cup as Middlesbrough win 1-0, Imray impresses | OneFootball

Wrexham went out of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough, decided by Will Lankshear’s scissor kick volley just after the hour. The result underlined the need for reinforcements if last season’s seventh place is to be bettered.

Wrexham were bright before the break in an open contest with chances at both ends. After half-time the hosts found another gear and the visitors faded.

Phil Parkinson framed it as a pre-season tune-up after Monday’s return from the U.S. tour. The night also exposed gaps. Liberato Cacace had calf fatigue from the Sunderland friendly and is not expected to face Wigan Athletic in Monday’s behind-closed-doors game, while Josh Windass and Ben Sheaf are also set to miss out.

Parkinson does not expect the trio to be out for long, with Sheaf due back over the weekend and Windass progressing. Recruitment continues, with a striker, centre-half, goalkeeper and at least one wide player targeted. He views the squad as decent after last year’s overhaul but still a little short, is pleased with Ben Whiteman and Danny Imray, and hopes to add soon.

Imray, a £5million signing from Crystal Palace, 23, produced an encouraging debut. Alert defensively, the right wing-back created a first-half opening for Nathan Broadhead and nearly applied the finish to a Callum Doyle cross.

A new time-wasting rule briefly left Boro with 10 men late on, as Lankshear exceeded the 10 seconds allowed to leave, delaying Fin Cartwright’s entry until the next stoppage. Wrexham could not take advantage.

Source: NY Times

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