THERE was shoot-out woe but Phil Parkinson declared himself delighted with the performance from his much-changed Wrexham side in the final EFL Trophy group game against Port Vale.
Both teams had already booked their place in the knockout stages and the 1-1 draw at Vale Park meant the Reds secured top spot and a home tie in the last 32.
League Two leaders Vale won 3-1 on penalties but they will be away in round two.
Parkinson named a different side to the one that started Saturday's 1-0 victory at home to Mansfield Town which kept Wrexham third in League One but he was forced into a change after Will Boyle sustained a calf injury in the warm-up so Max Cleworth kept his place in defence and donned the captain's armband.
Cleworth broke the deadlock early in the second half before Vale took the game to spot-kicks after scoring a late equaliser, but Parkinson was pleased fringe players got valuable game-time.
"The aim was to have a really good work-out which was key," said the Reds' boss.
"To get some valuable minutes in players' legs who needed it and I thought it was a really good performance from us. There were so many positives.
"It was a shame to concede so late. We would love to have won the game because that gets a little bit more of a buzz around the dressing room but I am so pleased with the way the lads played."
Midfielder Josh Adam, 20, a former Manchester City academy player who joined Wrexham in September following a successful trial, was handed his debut alongside experienced midfielder Matty James as Parkinson opted to rest his regulars.
There wasn't a third group win to celebrate but Parkinson was pleased with what he saw.
"The two goalkeepers (Callum Burton and Mark Howard) were brilliant," he said. "We gave them 45 minutes each which was pre-planned.
"Boyley pulled his calf in the warm-up. We weren't going to play Max but we had to put him in the team and the athleticism and the quality that the back-three showed on the ball was really good.
"Luke Bolton pulled his calf as well but Seb Revan came on and was brilliant; back to his best again which is so pleasing to see, and Jacob Mendy got 90 minutes.
"The midfield three, Anthony Forde being the ultimate professional played great. Matty showed great control with his passing for us and I was really pleased for young Josh because it was a big, energy-sapping pitch to make your debut on but I thought he was great.
"The front two did well. Mo Faal probably put in his best all-round performance for us; he won headers, he was diligent out of possession and he showed real quality when the ball was played up to him, and it looked a good partnership with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson."
Bodvarsson had the assist for the goal, flicking on Forde's corner which was converted by Cleworth from close range.
"It was a well-worked corner and Max got another goal for us which he has got a knack of," added Parkinson.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here