Wrexham AFC’s Under-18 side came back from a two-goal deficit to claim victory in the last minute in the cross-border derby against Shrewsbury Town.

Harry Ashfield and Mikey Hayman scored vital goals to bring Wrexham level, before Aaron James scored a 95th minute winner to give the young Red Dragons the bragging rights. 

Wrexham started the game slowly, and eventually were punished after 12 minutes as Shrewsbury scored the opening goal at Colliers Park to break the deadlock. 

The visitors’ lead was doubled as they capitalised on their good start to the match, heading home a second goal in North Wales. 

Despite the deficit, Ashfield managed to score a crucial goal in the 41st minute to cut Shrewsbury’s lead going into the break. 

The young Red Dragons came out firing, and piled on the pressure on their opponents in search of an all-important equaliser. 

However, Wrexham were forced to wait for their second goal which came in the final moments of the second-half, as Ashfield found Hayman following some excellent hold-up play and the forward fired directly into the bottom corner to level the scoreline. 

With time running out, the hosts continued to battle away for a winner and never gave up, with their efforts eventually rewarded in injury time. 

Alex Moore delivered an excellent corner into the path of James after 95 minutes, and the defender headed home the winner to secure yet another impressive win in the EFL Youth Alliance for Wrexham. 

Following the match, Lead PDP Coach Nick Chadwick said: “I’m delighted with the performance of the players and after giving ourselves a mountain to climb from a poor start, we imposed ourselves on the game well and we were the better team throughout.

“The environment set by the first-team is that to play for Wrexham you need character in abundance and a winning mentality. It has been pleasing to see that develop and be embedded into the academy players. 

“It’s also nice to now have done the double over Shrewsbury, with both being 3-2 victories, but also to win 3-2, 4-0, 4-1 and 3-0 in our last four games is an outstanding achievement by the lads.

“Although we judge the players' development by performances, our recent results are a key indicator into just how far the lads have come. We have some high-quality staff doing some outstanding work with the players on a daily basis, and it is showing on the pitch.”