Wrexham enhanced their promotion ambitions with a thrilling 5-3 win over fellow contenders Ipswich in a chaotic match at the Stok Cae Ras.
Just eight days after Josh Windass’ goal had secured a win for Wrexham in their FA Cup fourth-round clash, the goals came thick and fast in North Wales.
Ipswich fought back twice to equalize in the first half, with Anis Mehmeti and Ivan Azon responding to strikes from Kieffer Moore and Windass. However, Cedric Kipre produced a stunning shot to put Ipswich ahead shortly after halftime.
Wrexham bounced back with George Thomason equalizing in the 66th minute with his first goal for the club, leading to an exhilarating finish marked by contributions from Callum Doyle and Nathan Broadhead.
This victory places Wrexham sixth in the Championship table, just three points shy of Ipswich, who are in fourth.
Moore, who has faced challenges recently, returned to the starting lineup and made an immediate impact, scoring just six minutes in. He capitalized on a flick-on from Windass and drove the ball past Christian Walton from a tight angle.
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This marked Moore’s first goal since Boxing Day and rewarded Wrexham for a vibrant start, despite having to replace injured Ben Sheaf with George Dobson.
Ipswich found their footing, equalizing in the 20th minute when Arthur Okonkwo parried Jack Taylor‘s shot, allowing Mehmeti to score his first goal for the team since joining from Bristol City last month.
As Ipswich seemed to gain control of the game, Wrexham struck again in the 37th minute. After a well-saved shot from Thomason, Moore sent a cross back in that Windass headed in, restoring Wrexham’s lead, while Leif Davis was cautioned for attempting to block it with his hand on the goal line.
Wrexham had another chance just five minutes later, but Moore couldn’t convert as Walton denied him, and Doyle headed a corner wide.
However, frustration mounted for Wrexham as Taylor’s clever flick opened up their defense, allowing Azon to finish calmly into the bottom corner.
Less than two minutes after the break, Kipre put Ipswich ahead with a magnificent first-time shot from just outside the box into the top corner.
Thomason tested Walton in the 58th minute, leading to a corner kick where Wrexham strong-armed for a penalty after the keeper collided with Doyle, but the referee opted for a goal-kick, ruling out Wrexham’s appeal.
Manager Phil Parkinson introduced Broadhead, and in his first contribution, he assisted in the equalizer. After his shot was blocked, the ball fell perfectly for Thomason, who finished inside the near post.
With newfound momentum, Wrexham fans erupted when Doyle headed them back into the lead from a corner with just 15 minutes remaining.
Doyle then prevented an equalizer by clearing a shot from substitute Marcelino Núñez, while Windass saw another effort saved by Walton. The match was concluded with Broadhead’s sweeping finish just four minutes from time.