Wrexham faced heartbreak as their draw wasn’t enough to secure a playoff spot, following Hull City’s victory over Norwich City, which allowed them to leapfrog Phil Parkinson’s team.
All four goals came in the first half as nerves were high at the Stok with Tommy Conway scoring the opener within the first five minutes as the attacker tapped the ball past Danny Ward to stun the Red Dragons early on.
Josh Windass responded to Middlesbrough’s early goal with a world-class free kick which beat Solomon Brynn in the top corner.
The Red Dragons took the lead for the first time thanks to a bullet header by Sam Smith after running on to a cross from the right-hand side by Issa Kabore in the 40th minute.
Minutes later, Middlesbrough equalised with a goal from David Strelec, whose well-timed run allowed him to slot the ball past Ward into the net.
Wrexham faced an unfortunate start as Morgan Whittaker delivered an excellent through ball to the sprinting Callum Brittan. Brittan made a run down the right flank and played the ball across the face of the goal, where Conway was able to slot it in, putting Middlesbrough ahead in the fifth minute.
On the coast of the half hour mark, Windass equalised for Wrexham with a brilliant free kick which flew into the top corner, beating the outstretched Brynn.
The visitors came close to regaining the lead in the 35th minute after a corner from Whittaker fell in the box and caused a scramble; however, Ward clung on to keep the score level.
Five minutes before the break, Kabore dribbled past his defender down the right side, creating space to deliver a cross. Smith then met the ball with a bullet header that found the back of the net to lead the match in a much-needed three points.
Middlesbrough quickly equalised with a goal from Strelec shortly after. Matt Target provided an excellent cross, allowing Strelec to time his run perfectly and tap it past Ward, disrupting Wrexham’s momentum just before half-time.
In the 51st minute, Smith was involved in a scramble inside the penalty area. Despite the crowded area, the striker did well to open up his body to poke an effort towards goal, which Brynn comfortably saved.
Two minutes later, Ollie Rathbone took a shot from a distance that was saved by Brynn.
With 15 minutes left of the game, Ward denied Leo Castledine with a fantastic stop from close range and then saw the follow-up blocked before Callum Doyale cleared the ball away.
Despite Wrexham’s best efforts to find a winner late in the game, nothing turned to gold as Middlesbrough held out to share points away from home.
The result concluded Wrexham’s playoff dreams as Hull City’s win over Norwich was enough for the Tigers to leap the Red Dragons.
