Colwill's 98th-minute stunner denies Wrexham as Cardiff salvage derby draw

Rubin Colwill produced a moment of pure theatre at Cardiff City Stadium, curling home an inch-perfect free-kick deep into stoppage time to earn Cardiff City a dramatic 1-1 draw against Wrexham on their return to the Championship.

It looked as though former Bluebird Kieffer Moore had settled the contest with an early strike, but with almost the final kick of the game, Colwill stepped up from the very edge of the box and bent a stunning effort into the top-left corner to send the home supporters into raptures.

Moore haunts his former club

The visitors enjoyed a dream start, winning a left-sided free-kick just three minutes in. Lewis O'Brien's delivery was only half-cleared, and Moore raced onto the recycled ball before rifling a tight-angled shot into the roof of the net.

Moore made 66 appearances for Cardiff in all competitions between 2020 and 2022, scoring 20 goals for the club during that time — and he almost proved to be their downfall once again, netting his seventh goal against the Bluebirds, more than he has scored against any other team. Only Nathan Broadhead (four) attempted more shots than Moore (three), but the striker attempted and won the most duels (10/17) and aerial duels (6/10) on the pitch.

Wrexham ruing missed chances

Wrexham continued to push after taking the lead, with Callum Doyle's header tipped over the bar before Matty James blazed over. Moore then thumped a header against the crossbar shortly before the break as Cardiff struggled to mount a response.

The visitors started the second half brightly too, with Callum Doyle forcing Nathan Trott into a smart stop within 60 seconds, while the goalkeeper also denied Nathan Broadhead. Doyle then smashed a powerful effort against the post just before the hour mark, before Jack Moylan fired straight at Anthony Patterson at the other end.

Cardiff almost equalised when Dominic Hyam's clearing header clipped the crossbar and rebounded out, but the hosts would get one last chance. Joel Colwill was brought down right on the edge of the box by George Dobson, and Rubin Colwill made no mistake from the resulting set piece to salvage a point.

A boost of confidence for the Bluebirds

Wrexham, determined to push for the play-offs once again after just missing out last season, made a strong start to their campaign — though Phil Parkinson will rue their missed opportunities after accumulating 1.55 expected goals (xG) from 12 shots.

And while Cardiff, who won 17 of their 23 home games in League One last term, did not begin with a win, it is the perfect boost of confidence thanks to Rubin Colwill's nerves of steel right at the end.