EVERY cup tie needs a hero and Wrexham found theirs in the most unlikely of places.

With 242 minutes of goalless action between the two sides in league and cup clashes this season on the clock, Akil Wright pounced for his first Wrexham goal to win it for Sam Ricketts' Reds.

The hugely impressive Luke Young subsequently doubled the Wrexham advantage with a composed finish from the edge of the area as the Reds booked a first round proper tie at Weston-Super-Mare.

Make no mistake about it, Ricketts' men will know they have been in a cup tie, Harrogate proving more than a nuisance for large periods of an entertaining clash under The Racecourse lights.

But it was Wrexham who managed to end their FA Cup hoodoo and secure a place in the first round proper for the first time in four seasons.

The Reds, without the likes of Shaun Pearson and Luke Summerfield, set about trying to kill off the game early, before Harrogate countered with a spell of dominance in a lively first-half.

After an enterprising run from Rekeil Pyke, who jinked his way in from the left flank, created a chance for Young, the midfielder driving a left-footed effort just past Belshaw's left upright.

A neat flick from the lively Pyke gave Jordan Maguire-Drew time to measure a pass for the breaking Young, who was denied a shot at goal by Belshaw's intervention.

Harrogate enjoyed a rare foray forward and after Jordan Thewlis has worked his way in from the right touchline, he scuffed a shot into Rob Lainton's arms.

Young's runs from deep were causing Harrogate plenty of problems, and after he'd won a cheap free-kick, Wright sent a tame header wide from Maguire-Drew's set-piece.

Maguire-Drew was given the chance to pull the trigger after more fine work from Young, but the Brighton loan man dithered before slipping, the ball eventually finding Stuart Beavon, who fired straight at Belshaw from the edge of the area.

Harrogate countered with a chance of their own, Jack Emmett working a space for a shot, which lacked power as he fell over under pressure.

Visiting skipper Josh Falkingham then won his side a free-kick - which irked the Reds supporters - Callum Howe climbing highest to head the ball across goal, Thewlis connecting with the side-netting rather than the loose ball.

Wrexham failed to take heed of that let-off, Brad Walker caught in possession by Aaron Williams before Joe Leesley and Falkingham both tried their luck from distance, the first effort blocked with the second skewed horribly wide.

Leesley was starting to get the better of Mark Carrington and after Wright had been wrestled off the ball the winger drilled a cross-shot at the hosts goal, which forced Lainton to parry agonisingly clear of the waiting Williams.

A hopeful ball forward from Wrexham, who were on the ropes, nearly brought about that elusive opening goal. The hardworking Beavon was dragged down by Kevin Langmead, who was cautioned for his troubles.

Maguire-Drew lined up the free-kick around 25 yards from goal and forced Belshaw to tip a fine curling effort over the bar for a corner, which came to nothing.

Leesley was tasked with trying to better Maguire-Drew's effort at the other end after some clumsy defensive play, but the winger whipped his effort wide of Lainton's goal.

Referee Daniel Middleton signalled the end of the half soon after, the two teams bringing up 225 minutes of action without a goal.

Young was the first Wrexham player to try and end the long wait for a goal, but after Pyke fed him after controlling James Jennings' low cross, the midfielder fired a low drive straight at his team-mate.

Harrogate countered and twice went close through Howe, who was denied by a late Wright intervention before heading the second corner over Lainton's crossbar.

Maguire-Drew, who felt the wrath of Ricketts between those corners, was duly replaced by Mike Fondop, the sub immediately collecting Jennings' centre, swivelling and forcing Belshaw into action.

There was nothing Belshaw could do minutes later as Wrexham took the lead. Young's dangerous inswinging corner found Wright, who acrobatically turned the ball home for his first Reds goal.

Cries of 'Wrexham, Wrexham, Wrexham' rang out as Fondop came close to doubling the home side's lead, the striker denied by a fine block at the back post from Young's free-kick.

Scorer Wright was taken off after receiving lengthy treatment to a head injury that required seven stitches, but that failed to spoil Wrexham's momentum, Fondop heading wide after the restart from Carrington's centre.

Fondop was in the thick of the action moments later as Wrexham doubled their advantage, the striker moving in from the right before teeing up Young to calmly sweep home from the edge of the area.

Pyke then went close for Wrexham as he curled past the far post after cutting in from the left, while Mark Beck, on as a sub, headed straight at Lainton at the other end.

Eight minutes of injury time, mainly for Wright's problem, were seen out by Wrexham, who found themselves £25,000 richer when the full-time whistle blew.