Wrexham were controversially denied a spot in the Championship play-offs as Hull City slipped into sixth place on a dramatic final day. A win against Middlesbrough would have given Wrexham a chance of promotion to the Premier League, but despite overturning an early deficit and briefly taking the lead, they were held to a 2-2 draw.
Even if Hull had lost to Norwich City and Derby County had lost to Sheffield United, this would have been enough for Wrexham. It looked like it was on the cards when Mo Toure put the Canaries ahead before half-time. However, Oli McBurnie’s second-half goal turned the Tigers around and moved them into sixth place in the final Championship standings.
But there was a big hint of controversy with McBurnie’s second goal, as the Scotland international appeared to be touch-offside in the build-up to his decisive shot.
Sky Sports News pundit Clinton Morrison confidently declared that McBurnie had a “two yard” lead over the last defender.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed it was offside, but not as much as Morrison had suggested.
Despite this, the goal was conceded and it proved to be crucial for Hull in qualifying for the play-offs at the end of the season.
They will face Millwall in two games for a spot in the Wembley final, and then face either Middlesbrough or Southampton.
Wrexham, on the other hand, will simply lick their wounds and compete again next season after missing out on promotion for the fourth year in a row.
Their rapid rise from the National League to the Championship has been well documented, but qualifying for the Premier League this time proved to be a step too far.
With goals from George Hurst, Jayden Philozine and Casey McAteer, three points were enough to give the Tractor Boys another big upset.
The Millwall manager needed Ipswich to move up the table to have a chance of finishing in the top two, but that was not to be for the south Londoners.
They played their part in defeating relegated Oxford United, but the result at Portman Road sealed their place in the play-offs.
Middlesbrough also had an external chance of automatic promotion but needed a win against Wrexham, lost to Ipswich and failed to beat Millwall. None of that happened and Boro settled for a fifth place finish.
