Shaun Pearson believes success remains within Wrexham’s reach despite their crushing 4-0 defeat against Newport County in the Emirates FA Cup.

Dragons captain Pearson even believes the boys from North Wales could yet finish the season with two trophies.

Promotion to the Football League has to be their priority – Wrexham are currently fourth in the Vanarama National League – while they also entertain Boston United in the Buildbase FA Trophy at the Racecourse this Saturday.

Yorkshireman Pearson played in an FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium when he was in a Grimsby Town team edged out by his current club, Wrexham, after a penalty shootout.

http://https://youtu.be/Q0cjMaW5RfI

He is also a former Boston player of the year, winning that award twice plus helping the club gain promotion to National League North, and says: “I have real fond memories of playing for Boston.

“I’ve also played in the final of the competition and we have to remember that Wrexham are among the highest ranked teams in the competition.”

Pearson has played at Wembley twice, having been in the Grimsby team who defeated Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in the National League promotion final two years ago when Omar Bogle, later to join Cardiff City, scored twice.

“Having been to Wembley twice I know the FA Trophy final is not too far away even now,” said Pearson.

“We have great support as a club with more than 500 fans travelling to Newport. They applauded the lads off at the end despite our defeat and every player really appreciates and treasures that support.

http://https://youtu.be/X-Dt4k-3VXo

“It’s important they stick with us. We hope to repay them in the League – and all of us are intent on making progress in the FA Trophy.”

Wrexham have some massive fixtures coming up including home and away clashes with National League promotion rivals Salford City. 

After Saturday’s home tie against National League North team Boston, the Dragons face Aldershot away (Saturday, December 22), Salford home (Boxing Day), Solihull Moors (Saturday, December 29) and Salford away (New Year’s Day).

Wrexham were without injury Manny Smith and Kevin Roberts at Newport, while Luke Young is now suspended after being sent off after only 12 minutes at Rodney Parade.

http://https://youtu.be/0bOWTnpWMFA

Defender Smith missed out after feeling a reaction during the 2-0 win against Eastleigh, his first appearance after more than three months out injured.

“The League is out priority, but we want to make progress in the FA Trophy and Boston has to be our focus now,” says Wrexham interim manager Graham Barrow.

Vanarama National League top five

		P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Leyton Orient	24	14	8	2	+30	50
2	Salford	24	14	7	3	+26	49
3	Harrogate T	24	13	7	4	+19	46
4	Wrexham	23	13	7	3	+16	46
5	Solihull M	23	13	5	5	+13	44

FA Trophy first round proper (ties to be played Saturday, December 15 with winning clubs receiving £6,000 from The FA prize fund).

The Final will be staged at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 19.

Northern section draw:

1 Southport or Chester v Solihull Moors

2 Lancaster City or Guiseley v Blyth Spartans

3 AFC Fylde v Stratford Town

4 Salford City v Gateshead

5 Chesterfield v Basford United

6 Wrexham v Boston United

7 Barrow v FC Halifax Town

8 Harrogate Town v York City

9 Leamington v Hartlepool United

10 Workington v Pickering Town or Ramsbottom United

11 Spennymoor Town v Stamford or Barwell

12 Altrincham v Stockport County

13 AFC Telford United v Farsley Celtic

Southern section draw:

1 Chippenham Town or Wingate & Finchley v Welling United or Dulwich Hamlet

2 Biggleswade Town v Wealdstone

3 Maidenhead United v Oxford City

4 Hereford v Billericay Town

5 Aldershot Town v Bedford Town

6 Carshalton Athletic v Dorking Wanderers

7 Lewes or Hemel Hempstead Town v Eastleigh

8 Dover Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville

9 Woking v Maidstone United

10 Ebbsfleet United v Dagenham & Redbridge

11 Barnet v Bath City

12 Bromley v Sutton United

13 Truro City v Weston Super Mare

14 Salisbury v Braintree Town

15 Boreham Wood v Torquay United

16 Leyton Orient v Beaconsfield Town

17 Brackley Town v Hayes & Yeading United or Brightlingsea Regent

18 Weymouth or St Albans City v Royston Town or Needham Market

19 Eastbourne Borough or Dartford v Dorchester Town

Flashback to the 2013 FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium: 

Wrexham became the first Welsh club to lift the FA Trophy after a 4-1 penalty shootout win over Grimsby, who included Shaun Pearson, at Wembley.

Johnny Hunt scored Wrexham’s winning penalty after Sam Hatton and Richard Brodie missed kicks for Grimsby.

Wrexham won against their Blue Square Bet Premier promotion rivals Grimsby in front more than 35,000 fans.

The score was 1-1 after 90 minutes and the teams could not be separated in extra time.

Cieslewicz, Wright, Westwood all found the net for Wrexham, but Hatton hit the post with Grimsby’s first effort and Brodie blazed over.

Colbeck netted for Grimsby 22-year-old Hunt netted Wrexham’s fourth spot-kick and sealed their victory.

Grimsby: McKeown, Hatton, Thomas, Pearson, Miller, Colbeck, Disley, Artus, Cook, Hannah (Thanoj 55), Marshall (Brodie 87). Subs not used: Devitt, Wood, John-Lewis.

Wrexham: Maxwell, Stephen Wright, Riley, Harris, Danny Wright, Ormerod (Ogleby 77), Morrell (Cieslewicz 60), Keates, Hunt, Westwood, Thornton. Subs not used: Coughlin, Clarke, Little.