Wrexham A.F.C. manager Phil Parkinson expressed disappointment with the team's Carabao Cup exit, citing missed chances and a lack of clinical edge. The new season kicked off with a first-round tie against Championship rivals Boro at The Riverside Stadium, and chances went begging at both ends in the first half. Sam Smith had a chance to equalize when he brought a superb save out of Sol Brynn, while Wrexham also had opportunities after the restart. However, Boro scored the winner when Will Lankshear, brought in from Tottenham in a £10million deal that could rise considerably, found the net with an acrobatic volley on the hour mark. Parkinson rued his side's finishing when they got into some good positions but was pleased with the overall performance. 'I thought we had enough chances, particularly first half, to have progressed in the competition,' he said. 'The game was separated really on one quality finish from the lad. We had some great build-up play, some good moments, but we don't quite have that clinical edge you need in any game of football.' Parkinson also praised his players for their effort, given the short turnaround from their pre-season tour to America. 'There was a lot of effort from the boys,' he added. 'That was a big ask in terms of only coming back on Monday from America and training very little, to come here and go very close.' League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 7th in Championship, 71 pts, 19W-14D-13L from 46 games, recent form DLWWL. Goals this season: 69 scored, 65 conceded (+4 goal difference). Title race: 24 points behind leaders Coventry.