Okonkwo the hero as Wrexham knock out Nottingham Forest on penalties in the FA Cup

Wrexham and Nottingham Forest played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in an absorbing FA Cup third-round tie at the Racecourse Ground on Friday evening, with the contest decided by penalties.

Wrexham took the lead in the 37th minute as George Dobson dispossessed Omari Hutchinson, and the ball fell nicely to Liberato Cacace, whose deflected shot beat Matz Sels.

Three minutes later, Oliver Rathbone doubled the Championship side’s advantage, curling the ball into the bottom corner.

Forest started the second half on the front foot, applying pressure on the hosts and were rewarded for their efforts after the hour mark.

Nicolo Savona did well to deliver a cross into the area where Igor Jesus was waiting to head past Okonkwo, offering the visitors a lifeline.

The game took another dramatic turn in the 74th minute as Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal lead with a diving header.

Moments later, Callum Hudson-Odoi made it 3-2, smashing a shot into the back of the net. The English winger completed the comeback late on by lifting the ball over Okonkwo exquisitely.

With neither side able to find a winner in extra-time, the tie was settled by a penalty shootout.

Wrexham held their nerve from the spot to win the shootout 4–3, with Okonkwo emerging as the hero after saving two penalties.