Ipswich Town’s FA Cup run ended at the Racecourse Ground, as Wrexham edged a tight fourth‑round tie 1–0.
A rotated Blues side started brightly but never recovered from Josh Windass’ first‑half strike, despite late pressure and a strong bench thrown into the mix.
Ten changes shaped the night, with Cédric Kipré the only player keeping his place from the weekend win. Dan Neil made his full debut, anchoring midfield with a calmness that grew as the game went on.
George Hirst captained the side for the first time, a nod to his growing influence, leading a front line built around movement rather than familiarity.
Ipswich actually opened the sharper of the two sides. Hirst twice found pockets inside the box but couldn’t steer either chance past Arthur Okonkwo.
Chuba Akpom drifted cleverly between lines, and Elkan Baggott’s long throws caused early unease, but the final touch never arrived.
The hosts grew into the game through a string of corners, forcing Alex Palmer into action.
The breakthrough came on 34 minutes. A loose moment down Ipswich’s right allowed Ryan Longman to deliver low, and Windass darted between defenders to flick home.
Palmer then kept the score down with two strong saves before the interval.
Kieran McKenna made changes early, with Dara O’Shea replacing Kipré and the armband passing again.
Ipswich should have levelled when Baggott’s flick dropped for Akpom, only for Okonkwo to produce the save of the night.
Harry Clarke and Anis Mehmeti added energy, Jack Taylor tried to quicken the tempo, but Wrexham slowed the game and managed the final stages with experience.
Town pushed late on Palmer, who even joined the final corner, but the equaliser never came.
It wasn’t a collapse, just a night where the rotated XI couldn’t quite stitch together the quality needed.
The cup run ends with frustration rather than drama.
Alex Palmer – 7, Ben Johnson – 5, Cédric Kipré – 6, Jacob Greaves – 6, Elkan Baggott – 6, Dan Neil – 6, Jens Cajuste – 6, Kasey McAteer – 5, Sindre Walle Egeli – 5, Chuba Akpom – 6, George Hirst (C) – 6. Subs: O’Shea 6, Clarke 6, Mehmeti 6, Taylor 6, Azón N/A.
