PHIL PARKINSON admits his side weren't clinical enough as Wrexham exited the Carabao Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.
The new season kicked-off with a first round tie against Championship rivals Boro at The Riverside Stadium and chances went begging at both ends in the first half, with Sam Smith going closed for the Reds when he brought a superb save out of Sol Brynn.
Wrexham also had opportunities after the restart but Boro scored the winner when Will Lankshear, brought in from Tottenham in a £10million deal that could rise considerably, found the net with an acrobatic volley on the hour mark.
Parkinson rued his side's finishing when they got into some good positions but he was pleased with the overall performance.
"I thought we had enough chances, particularly first half, to have progressed in the competition," he said. "The game was separated really on one quality finish from the lad.
"We had some great build-up play, some good moments, but we don't quite have that clinical edge you need in any game of football.
"There were a few moments in the second-half where it didn't quite fall for us. Sam was a bit unlucky when he slipped on that one when the ref bizarrely booked him. I can't quite understand that.
"In any game of football, it's separated on those moments and I felt we had enough.
"Neither keeper's had a lot to do. Obviously the big moment was the keeper saving with his legs from Sam in the first half.
"We sunk a bit at times, but so did they towards the end when we got control back of the game.
"We just couldn't quite find the moment, but a lot of positives for us."
Smith was put through by Nathan Broadhead when Wrexham broke but he was unable to beat keeper Brynn in the opening period.
"We looked at Middlesbrough against Espanyol (a 3-3 draw last weekend) and a very similar game where they had possession, but can be vulnerable on the transition," said Parkinson.
Read more
Player ratings as Wrexham start season with cup defeat at Middlesbrough
Wrexham beaten 1-0 at Middlesbrough in Carabao Cup first round
Parkinson sets transfer stance on Sheffield Wednesday interest in Wrexham player
"Exactly the kind of goal Espanyol scored against them, we so nearly did with Sam in the first half and that brilliant bit of play from Broadie.
"But the lads will have come on enormously for the game physically and it was always going to be a test for us."
Wrexham were back in action four days after returning from the pre-season tour to America and Parkinson felt his players put in a good shift.
"There was a lot of effort from the boys," he added.
"That was a big ask in terms of only coming back on Monday from America and training very little, to come here and go very close.
"Of course, you always want to get through but we've got to give the lads credit and there's a lot of positives in the performance."
Share