Wrexham 'should have beaten billion-pound Chelsea' - Parkinson

Ollie Palmer (L) leads the Wrexham goal celebrations against Chelsea

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson believes his side should have beaten "billion-pound team" Chelsea in their pre-season tour of north America.

The newly promoted League One club almost shocked their Premier League rivals in a 2-2 draw watched by 32,724 fans at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton’s second-half goals put Wrexham ahead after Christopher Nkunku’s first-half strike, but Lesley Ugochukwu’s 82nd-minute equaliser rescued a draw for new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Parkinson is impressed by the progress being made by his side, saying: “I am absolutely delighted.

“You’ve got to put it into context. We’ve played a billion-pound team, they’ve spent so much money, and two years ago we were playing in the National League.

“To go toe-to-toe with Chelsea tonight, you can understand what an effort that was from the lads and we could and should have won the game.

“We are disappointed [Sam] Dalby got fouled that the linesman is flagging frantically, and the ref didn’t know and the ball is in the back of our net.

“The new players have come in and slotted in really well for us so far. We are not going to moan too much. It was a proper shift from our boys and we played with belief in the second period and really took the game to them.”

Parkinson has previously called on the Hollywood ownership group, led by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, to continue to back the team with new transfers.

But he believes the performance also showed that players already at the north Wales club are desperate not to be overlooked.

He added: “We are all totally aligned on where we feel the squad needs to be. We have got a good squad as it stands and it is about players emerging in pre-season. People want to be part of it and are showing an appetite to play.”

Parkinson also confirmed striker Steven Fletcher missed the match because of a groin problem, while defender Eoghan O'Connell sat out with a "niggle".

Wrexham now travel north to Canada, to conclude the tour with a match against Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver on 28 July.

The Dragons begin their League One campaign on 10 August at home to Wycombe Wanderers.