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Wrexham failed to narrow the battle for the final playoff position in the Championship down to two sides ahead of the last day, suffering defeat to champions Coventry City on Sunday afternoon.
Phil Parkinson's men had the opportunity to firmly secure sixth place in the Midlands, but were beaten 3–1 at a relaxed yet eventually electric Coventry Building Society Arena.
Ollie Rathbone leveled Brandon Thomas-Asante's early goal with a crisp left-footed finish, but Wrexham were undone by a superb Victor Torp free-kick with 10 minutes remaining before the impressive Ephron Mason-Clark wrapped up the win for the hosts.
Mason-Clark's stoppage-time effort was the last thing Wrexham needed, given that goal difference could yet prove to be the deciding factor when everything is settled.
Just one matchday now remains in the second tier, with the three sides still in playoff contention bracing for a tense and nerve-shredding final round.
Wrexham Standings: EFL Championship Table After 45 Games
Place | Team | Points | Goal Difference | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coventry City | 92 | +48 | 45 |
2 | Ipswich Town | 80 | +30 | 44 |
3 | Millwall | 80 | +13 | 45 |
4 | Middlesbrough | 79 | +25 | 45 |
5 | Southampton | 76 | +24 | 44 |
6 | Wrexham | 70 | +4 | 45 |
7 | Hull City | 70 | +3 | 45 |
8 | Derby County | 69 | +9 | 45 |
Wrexham climbed into sixth place following their midweek victory over Oxford United, taking advantage of yet another Hull City stumble. The Tigers were then beaten at Charlton Athletic before the Red Dragons made the trip to the champions' ground on Sunday.
The loss in Coventry leaves Wrexham level on 70 points with Hull going into the final round of matches. Importantly, the Red Dragons hold a narrow goal difference edge, though Hull trail by just one on that count.
Furthermore, Derby remain very much in contention following Sunday's outcome. The Rams sit just one point behind in eighth after bouncing back from their midweek loss to Norwich City with a dramatic late winner at Queens Park Rangers.
Hull, Wrexham and Derby's Remaining Championship Fixtures Compared
Wrexham (6th, 70 points) | Hull City (7th, 70 points) | Derby (8th, 69 points) |
|---|---|---|
Wrexham vs. Middlesbrough (May 2) | Hull vs. Norwich (May 2) | Derby vs. Sheffield Utd (May 2) |
Having fallen to the champions on the second-to-last weekend of the campaign, Wrexham now face a Middlesbrough side still chasing a second-place finish and automatic promotion. That ambition will be extinguished, however, should Ipswich Town win their game in hand against Southampton on Tuesday.
The Red Dragons will be hoping the Tractor Boys get the job done at St. Mary's, easing the pressure on Boro to claim all three points next weekend.
Wrexham's final-day opponents have struggled to find consistency down the stretch, particularly without key midfielder Hayden Hackney, though they have managed back-to-back victories.
Nevertheless, Wrexham's season finale is undoubtedly the toughest assignment of the three—even if Hull City look far from convincing right now. The Tigers fell to Charlton at the weekend and close out their season at home against Norwich next Saturday. The Canaries sit just five points adrift in ninth.
Derby County must have feared their playoff hopes were over after losing at Carrow Road during the week, but their late heroics in west London, coupled with Coventry's victory, have kept the Rams firmly in the picture.
They also have the most favorable fixture of the three, hosting 15th-place Sheffield United.