The Championship club claimed a dramatic landmark giant-killing victory in front of co-owner Ryan Reynolds at the SToK Cae Ras.
Wrexham’s extraordinary journey added another unforgettable chapter as Parkinson’s side stunned Forest in a pulsating shoot-out victory, a night made all the more memorable by the presence of co-owner Ryan Reynolds in the stands.
The Welsh high-flyers prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a breathless 3-3 draw, despite twice surrendering commanding leads against last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists.
The win sends Wrexham into the fourth round and marks the first time in 26 years they have eliminated a top-flight club from the competition, reinforcing the sense that this club’s Hollywood-fuelled rise continues to defy expectations.
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Parkinson was quick to highlight the emotional significance of the occasion, particularly with Reynolds watching on alongside his family.
“I had a chat with him before the game and it was great to see him over here with his family,” Parkinson said.
“I think Ryan’s mum was here tonight, which was for the first time. So it’s really special and I hope they’ve enjoyed the night.
“I’m sure that on the flight back home tonight, they’ll be having a few glasses of wine to celebrate.”
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Wrexham arrived in north Wales brimming with confidence after four straight league wins over the festive period, and they carried that momentum into a ferocious opening spell.
Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone struck within three first-half minutes to give the hosts a deserved 2-0 lead at the interval, sending the Racecourse into raptures.
Forest, who made eight changes from their midweek Premier League victory over West Ham United, struggled badly early on.
Igor Jesus briefly gave the visitors hope after the break, but Dominic Hyam’s diving header restored Wrexham’s two-goal cushion at 3-1, seemingly putting the upset within touching distance.
Yet Forest substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi turned the tie on its head with two moments of quality, scoring in the 76th minute before a superb 89th-minute finish dragged the Premier League side into extra time.
Despite the shift in momentum, Wrexham held firm, and when penalties followed a goalless extra 30 minutes, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo emerged as the hero.
Okonkwo saved spot-kicks from Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to seal victory, capping a performance that will live long in club folklore.
“It was amazing to win the game in the end. We just have to enjoy the moment,” Okonkwo told TNT Sports.
Parkinson admitted there was a moment during the contest when belief briefly wavered, but he praised his players for finding a response in adversity.
“We had to rally the troops a bit in the break, because I think the whole ground had gone flat,” he said.
“You get that feeling ‘have we lost our best chance to get through and beat a Premier League team’?
“But the lads rallied themselves, there was a lot of tired legs, and credit to both sides for putting on such a good game after that busy Christmas schedule.
“It’s a huge night for us and I’m pleased for this group of players to write their own bit of history in the club’s rich heritage in the FA Cup.”
The result sits comfortably alongside Wrexham’s most famous cup exploits — victories over Arsenal, Newcastle United and West Ham among them — but this one carried added resonance given the club’s modern resurgence.
Just three seasons ago, they were plying their trade in non-league football.
Now, under Parkinson and owners Reynolds and Rob Mac, they are a Championship force capable of going toe-to-toe with elite opposition.
For Forest manager Sean Dyche, however, the night was one of deep frustration.
His side’s first-half display proved decisive, prompting a withering assessment afterwards.
“The first half is completely unacceptable. I’ve let certain individuals know that and they’ve got to look in the mirror,” Dyche said.
“It’s unacceptable to me, but it’s unacceptable to the badge as well.
“They all knock on your door and say ‘why aren’t I playing’? But the evidence is quite honestly there.
“Not for all, but that’s what football is. You’ve got to train and prepare right all the time, because when the day comes you’ve got to be ready and there’s too many who weren’t.”
Dyche did acknowledge the impact of his substitutes, who hauled Forest back into contention after the interval.
“The players who came on second half were a credit and we looked like a Premier League side,” he added.
“Penalties are a lottery, but we’ve created enough chances to win the game.”
