Holmes puts Eastwood into dreamland
His 79th-minute clincher came after an Andy Todd shot was fumbled by the Wrexham goalkeeper Gavin Ward. The ball ricocheted straight into Holmes' path and he finished coolly to book Eastwood's place in the first round proper of the FA Cup.
Eastwood boss Paul Cox said: "I thought the team were magnificent. Apart from the closing minutes we restricted a very good team to two shots on goal. By contrast we created four or five good chances and our victory could have been more emphatic".
In a scrappy opening, Wrexham enjoyed the majority of the possession without really threatening Shane Redmond's goal. Redmond carried on were he left off in the first meeting between the two clubs on Saturday, making several good catches from dangerous crosses.
As Eastwood started to get a grip on the game, Gardner tested Ward from long range while Kearney's overhead kick went over the bar in a rare Wrexham attack.
Richard Dunning and Anton Foster were dominating the midfield as the Wrexham team looked uncomfortable on the narrow Eastwood pitch. Holmes' tireless running was causing plenty of problems for the visiting defence and he almost squeezed the ball past Ward when Dunning played him through.
Eastwood took the lead from their first corner. Dunning's pinpoint corner was headed against the crossbar by Paul Robinson. In a moment of panic, Neil Taylor turned the rebound onto the post and as the ball flashed across the goal Todd stooped to head the ball home.
The goal stunned Wrexham into action. Neil Taylor cut inside and flashed the ball over the top and Redmond saved well from Marc Williams. As the first half drew to a close, Wrexham could have equalised when Redmond and Mark Hume collided but fortunately the ball spun wide of the approaching Williams.
At the other end, Wes Baynes reacted smartly to deny Holmes and seconds later Ashley Westwood used his considerable experience to again deny Holmes.
The second half began with Wrexham upping the tempo, forcing Eastwood back on the defensive. Williams had a good shot on the turn well saved and Westwood flashed a header across goal.
Eastwood's one-goal lead was looking vulnerable as Baynes and Carl Tremarco started to find room down the flanks. Silvio Spann headed overand Odi Anorilo fired wide after a good run.
If the Badgers fans thought Holmes' goal would settle the nerves they were disappointed. Peter Knox replaced him with four minutes left and his first tackle after 15 seconds earned him the first red card in a Badgers shirt.
With a man advantage Wrexham laid siege on the Badgers back four. Redmond pulled out one stunning save and Hume cleared one off the line as the Badgers rearguard stood firm to record a famous victory.
Eastwood Town: Redmond, Asher, Hume, Robinson, Cooke, Gardner (Duik 72), Foster, Dunning, Todd, Meikle, Holmes.
Subs: Deakin, Smith, Knox, Rhead, Whitman, Cooper.
Wrexham: Ward, Baynes, (Smith 80), Evans, Tremarco, Mackin, Taylor, Kearney, Spann, Marc Williams, Westwood, Anorilo. Subs Kempson, Whalley, Proctor, Murtagh, Anthony Williams.
great: Badgers fans celebrate
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