Wrexham 1-0 Ipswich — Windass strike sends Red Dragons into FA Cup fifth round

Josh Windass’s 34th-minute finish was enough to propel Wrexham into the FA Cup fifth round after a tense 1-0 victory over Ipswich on Friday night (ET). The win marks Wrexham’s first return to this stage in almost three decades and sets up a Monday draw that could deliver a glamour tie.

Windass strike and a night of Cup tradition

The decisive moment arrived midway through the first half when Windass reacted quickest to a loose delivery and turned the ball into the net to notch his ninth goal of the season. Wrexham pressed from the off and might have taken an earlier lead had the visitors’ goalkeeper not scrambled back to smother a near-opening chance. The home side then grew into the contest and deserved their advantage shortly before half-time.

Ipswich fielded a heavily-changed side, making 10 alterations that signalled a clear emphasis on their upcoming league fixture. That rotation left the visitors lacking familiar attacking rhythm; they failed to register a shot on target across the 90 minutes and rarely threatened the Wrexham goal. Despite late pressure, including a series of set-piece scrambles and a courageous block from defenders on the line, Wrexham held firm to secure a memorable cup night.

Manager Phil Parkinson celebrated the historic progress with a note of perspective: "This club has a lot of history in the FA Cup and we spoke to the players about that — can we create our own bit of history by making it to the fifth round for the first time in thirty years?" He added that the squad would embrace the run and balance league responsibilities with cup ambitions.

What the result means and Cup TV pick-ups — football on TV today

The victory guarantees Wrexham a place in the Monday draw for the fifth round, where the chance of drawing a top-flight opponent looms large. The manager admitted the odds favour a high-profile opponent but did not hide his desire for another home tie: "I would love to give our supporters another great Cup tie here at home. " The draw will be made on Monday (ET), with fans and neutral viewers expected to tune in as the competition narrows toward the business end.

For viewers checking football on TV today, this round’s fixtures feature a mix of drama and expected results. Alongside Wrexham’s narrow success, another evening tie produced a comprehensive scoreline as a Premier League side moved smoothly into the next stage with a 4-0 win. That match included a rare cup hat-trick and drew praise for the winners’ collective mentality and attacking movement. Television coverage of these fixtures continues to spotlight the FA Cup’s capacity for both smaller-club fairytales and dominant performances from elite squads.

With Wrexham and Ipswich set to meet again in league action on Saturday, February 21 (ET), next week’s schedule ensures supporters will have a quick follow-up to Friday night’s cup drama. The back-to-back nature of these fixtures adds an extra layer of intrigue: will momentum from the Cup carry over into the Championship rematch, or will the side that made wholesale changes for the cup freshen and refocus for league points?

Reaction, running order and a look ahead

Wrexham’s manager underlined the need to enjoy nights like this and to manage the busy calendar with confidence rather than caution. The winning club’s players will now prepare for the draw while balancing league fixtures, travel and recovery routines that come with simultaneous cup and promotion campaigns.

On the other bench, Ipswich’s manager acknowledged the prioritisation of the league clash and the pragmatic selection choices made for the cup tie. For neutral fans and broadcasters, the immediate talking points are straightforward: Wrexham’s historic progress, Windass’s timely finish, and the perennial allure of knockout football that keeps viewers tuning into football on TV today.

As the Cup narrative advances, attention will turn to Monday’s draw (ET) and whether the Red Dragons will host a top-flight giant or travel for another big night. Whichever path lies ahead, Friday’s result will be remembered as a classic small-club Cup moment — and a timely reminder that the competition still produces its own brand of magic.