Did it deliver?
On paper the fixture (score 61), but it was a cagey, goalless first half with no important moments before the interval. It came alive after the hour and finished with two goals in the final 20 minutes, so it only partly lived up to the billing.
Wrexham won without the ball, taking only 38% possession against Middlesbrough's 62% (651 passes to 384). They made up for it with 22 tackles to Boro's 9 and more shots, 15 to 12, and they stayed compact and dangerous on the break. The first half produced nothing of note, and the game turned after a flurry of changes around the hour. Thomason put Wrexham ahead in the 70th minute from a Kieffer Moore assist. Substitute Oliver Rathbone sealed it in the 84th, set up by Lewis O'Brien, just after Ben Sheaf replaced the booked George Dobson. Middlesbrough had the territory but managed only two shots on target and created no big chances. Wrexham's finishing was still not perfect, with one big chance missed. The result is a valuable three points at home, while Boro's possession-heavy approach left them toothless and in need of a sharper attack.
Wrexham, 19th and without a goal in two straight defeats, welcome league leaders Middlesbrough to the Racecourse Ground. Boro are unbeaten in five and fresh from a 3-0 win over Charlton. The hosts face growing pressure and a strained attack, so this is a big test.
Likely to get more involvement with Sam Smith out, and he must provide a cutting edge for a side that has failed to score in two games.
Could come in for Patterson, and a big performance against the league's top side could matter.
Expected to be fit after the cramp scare and offers a physical presence against Wrexham's back line.
An attacking option who could be decisive if Hellberg rotates and Boro need to break down a determined home side.
Wrexham
Middlesbrough
Wrexham•MidfielderJeremy Sarmiento attempts a header but misses the shot.
Offside.
Oliver RathboneShot by Oliver Rathbone with a header results in a goal.
assist: Lewis O'Brien
Goal! Oliver Rathbone scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Lewis O'Brien.
Ben Sheaf comes on for George Dobson.
Jeremy Sarmiento takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Oliver Rathbone takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Max Arfsten takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Substitution: Jeremy Sarmiento comes on for Tommy Conway.
Oliver Rathbone is on, and George Thomason is off.
David Strelec replaces Neto Borges.
George ThomasonShot from George Thomason with his left foot results in a goal.
assist: Kieffer Moore
Goal! George Thomason scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Kieffer Moore.
Amario Cozier-Duberry takes a left-footed shot but misses.
George DobsonYellow CardYellow card shown to George Dobson.
Riley McGree comes on for Kyle Joseph.
Max Arfsten is on, and Luke Ayling is off.
Myles Peart-Harris is on, and Sebastian Berhalter is off.
Callum Doyle takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Offside.
Kieffer Moore takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Corner awarded.
Benjamin Whiteman takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Max Cleworth takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
George Thomason takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Callum Brittain's left-footed shot is saved.
Lewis O'Brien takes a right-footed shot but misses.
George Thomason takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Adilson Malanda's header is saved.
Offside.
Kieffer Moore takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Kieffer Moore takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Kieffer Moore attempts a header but misses the shot.
Kyle Joseph takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kieffer Moore takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Callum Brittain takes a shot, but it's blocked.
Kyle Joseph takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Benjamin Whiteman takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Amario Cozier-Duberry takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Tommy Conway takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Kick-off! The referee is Oliver Langford.
