PHIL PARKINSON felt his side’s game-plan worked a treat and not sitting back against their Championship opponents paid off as Wrexham booked a place in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Reds pulled off a huge upset after winning 4-3 against Coventry City at The CBS Arena.

Wrexham were never behind in the third round encounter and led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-1 before the Sky Blues scored twice to make a game of it heading into the final quarter of an hour.

Despite being under the cosh as Coventry pushed for an equaliser, Parkinson’s men held firm and saw the game out to the delight of the 4,500 travelling supporters.

It was backs to the wall stuff at the end against a second tier side oozing quality but the Reds’ boss was pleased with how side performed in the cup tie.

“I wanted to see us get control of the game with the ball against a higher calibre of opposition,” said Parkinson.

“It wasn’t in our make-up to come here and just sit back, and soak up pressure.

“What we wanted to do was play in the manner that we do in our league and I felt we did that.

“We had to take it up a level against Coventry.

“We had to be that split-second quicker on the ball and some of the football we played was great.”

Wrexham built up a 2-0 lead inside the opening 18 minutes with Sam Dalby and Elliot Lee on target.

Coventry pulled a goal back but Tom O’Connor made it 3-1 just before the break and top scorer Paul Mullin struck in the second half from the penalty spot after the Sky Blues were reduced to 10 men when Jonathan Panzo was shown a straight red card for deliberate handball.

Parkinson disagreed with the decisions made by referee Tom Nield that led to the two-goals that put the Sky Blues back in the contest but he was pleased with the way his side approached the game.

“I imagine for the neutral it was great because it had everything in the game,” said Parkinson.

“But from our point of view and coming here with 4,500 fans behind us, it was so important to put in a performance to send our supporters back up the road in good spirits.

“We said before the game to the lads that if we weren’t going to get through, we have got to make sure Coventry earn everything they get from us; we have got to look to upset the apple cart and ruffle a few feathers.

“I thought we got a nice balance in our play.

“We passed it and we switched it really well, and then we had the long throws and the set-plays; it was a nice combination, and Tom O’Connor got a goal from it.

“Just a great day for everybody connected with the club and I am so pleased for Rob and Ryan, I am sure they would have loved watching that, but every single supporter here will have enjoyed that.”

Dalby replaced Ollie Palmer in attack and he gave Wrexham a dream start.

"I was delighted for Sam," added Parkinson.

"He is a class player and what a goal.

"A great cross from Luke Young and it is a textbook striker's goal.

"I am so pleased for Sam because I have got a lot of faith in him and I believe he is going to be a very good player."