Rathbone Rescues Wrexham With Dramatic 92nd-Minute Equalizer

Oliver Rathbone emerged as Wrexham's unlikely savior, drilling home a dramatic 92nd-minute equalizer from outside the box to secure a pulsating 2-2 draw against Watford at STōK Cae Ras. The substitute midfielder, introduced just two minutes earlier, rifled his left-footed effort into the bottom right corner following a corner to complete a remarkable comeback that sent the Welsh crowd into raptures.

The match exploded into life early when Josh Windass opened the scoring in the 21st minute, the striker coolly slotting his right-footed effort from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner after Matty James threaded a perfectly weighted through ball. However, Watford's response proved swift and devastating. Mamadou Doumbia leveled proceedings in the 30th minute, unleashing a left-footed drive from outside the box that sailed into the high center of the goal following a lightning-quick counter-attack orchestrated by Othmane Maamma. The Moroccan winger then turned from provider to scorer just before halftime, prodding home from the left side of the six-yard box to give the Hornets a 2-1 advantage at the break.

The tactical battle intensified after the interval as Wrexham pushed forward desperately seeking an equalizer. Kieffer Moore led the line with typical physicality, causing problems for Watford's defense with his aerial presence, while Josh Windass dropped deeper to link play. Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik produced a crucial 77th-minute save to deny Windass from close range, while the hosts peppered the visitors' goal with a series of corners and crosses that tested the Hornets' resolve.

Despite Wrexham edging possession at 51.9%, both sides registered identical shot tallies with three efforts on target apiece. The statistics reflected an evenly contested affair, with Watford's disciplined defensive shape frustrating the hosts for long periods. Wrexham's persistence in winning seven corners compared to Watford's solitary flag-kick ultimately proved decisive, providing the platform for Rathbone's late heroics.

The turning point arrived in the 90th minute when manager Phil Parkinson introduced Rathbone for Dominic Hyam, a bold attacking substitution that paid immediate dividends. The midfielder's first meaningful contribution proved match-defining, as he stepped up to convert the corner opportunity that had eluded his teammates throughout the contest.

Wrexham travel to face Swansea City on December 19 in what promises to be another stern test of their Championship credentials. Watford host Stoke City on December 20, with Tom Cleverley's side needing to bounce back from this late disappointment to maintain their promotion push.