AFTER the penalty fiasco on Tuesday night, it required a cool head when the referee pointed to the spot at Borough Park, with just fourteen minutes left of Wrexham's FA Trophy tie with Workington.
As the home side held a 1-0 lead, which they deserved on the balance of the second half's play, it was obvious Wrexham needed to convert the kick to have a good chance of avoiding elimination.
Fortunately young Nathan Fairhurst grasped the nettle and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to set up a 3-1 win. It might have been his first senior goal, but it wasn't the first time he's taken a spot kick though.
"I take penalties regularly for the reserves at Preston, and as a couple of lads said they didn't want it I stepped up to take it," he said.
"After last Tuesday Jeff didn't want this one, so I picked the ball up and took it!"
His goal took Wrexham into the last eight of the competition, and with strong Conference sides like Burton Albion and Torquay United both crashing out of the competition on Saturday afternoon, thoughts have naturally been turning towards a glamorous conclusion to the season.
"It is exciting. A few of the lads have been talking about Wembley, but we've got to get our heads down and concentrate on the league," said the midfielder.
"That's the main thing; we need to get promotion and get back into The Football League."
The match also marked the Wrexham debut of Christian Gyan, so what did Fairhurst make of his new midfield partner?
"Christian's a good player. He's a real battler and that's what it was today; a real battle in the middle of the pitch. I thought we did really well together."
And what is Fairhurst gaining from his time at The Racecourse?
"I'm definitely developing as a player. The more games I get, the more experience I get and I improve.
"That's the main reason I'm here; to get experience and get games under my belt. I'm really enjoying myself as well, and that's the main thing!"
With Fairhurst's performances constantly improving, the benefits are there to be seen for both player and club!
