Simon Weaver hails Harrogate for stealing spotlight from Wrexham on FA Cup stage

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver applauded his players for performing in front of a “global audience” as they dumped Wrexham out of the FA Cup.

Veteran striker Jack Muldoon’s first-half header secured a shock 1-0 success for the Sulphurites in the televised clash and, in a clear reference to the Dragons’ Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, argued his players’ displays matched the standards of a top West End actor.

He said: “We were playing in front of a global audience and, like every actor who wants to play in the West End rather than a backstreet theatre, we are no different as performers – we want to play on the biggest stage. Our desire levels were through the roof and we don’t carry any passengers at this football club.

“We had a few scares along the way as you will in any game where the scoreline is a narrow margin, but our brains were clear throughout the game and we played to our maximum.”

Wrexham had reached the FA Cup fourth round during the past two seasons, but were dumped out at the same stage as they were on their last visit to Harrogate in the competition three years ago.

Boss Phil Parkinson said: “There haven’t been too many occasions during my time here when there’s been an expectation on us to win and we haven’t produced, but we conceded a goal from a set-play and gave a team that are notoriously good at battening down the hatches a chance to defend a lead.

“We also put 30 crosses into the box, including some unbelievable balls, and we have to be better in and around the box, because that’s where games are won and lost and we did not hit the target enough or find that moment of quality we needed.”