For fans of schadenfreude there was plenty to enjoy at the Cae Ras as Wrexham and Middlesbrough saw their dreams dashed. The latter fell short in their unlikely attempt to reach the Premier League automatically, while the former missed out on the playoffs thanks to this final-day draw.

Wrexham were aiming to secure sixth, but finished two points behind Hull, who beat Norwich 2-1, to miss out on a fourth successive promotion. The odds were always stacked against Boro, with the point ensuring a two-legged clash with Southampton. Wrexham briefly led after Josh Windass and Sam Smith turned things around after Tommy Conway’s opener, but David Strelec ensured neither team would be celebrating at full-time.

The away end was awash with superheroes including Batman to Parmo Man as Middlesbrough sought their own footballing legend, but they needed help from elsewhere, which was not forthcoming.

As a goal went in at Portman Road, Conway started the rollercoaster by steering home a Callum Brittain cross at the near post. Danny Ward will take some blame for his failure to grab the ball, allowing Conway to pounce and drop Wrexham out of the playoff positions.

The carnival atmosphere continued for those who had travelled from the north-east, despite Ipswich easing their way back to the Premier League. The tension increased for Wrexham, who found plenty of promising positions on the edge of the area, but fell short of ideas when it came to finding a final pass.

If open play is not working, then it is a sensible idea to have a player who can bend a free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards. Windass took his time to line it up and offered Sol Brynn no chance of reaching it, as the noise and optimism returned for the north Walians.

While Wrexham’s midfield offers a workmanlike consistency, Issa Kaboré was the biggest threat to the Middlesbrough backline. He repeatedly drove at Matt Targett who coped well until the 41st minute, when Kaboré finally found an extra inch to thrash in a cross Smith was there to meet at the front post with a bullet header, to give Kaboré his eighth assist of the season and put Wrexham back up to sixth.

The rollercoaster continued on track, with Strelec levelling things on the day, even if Boro’s chances of moving into the top two were already over. It was a lesson for the Welsh side as they briefly lost concentration again, with another cross, this time from Targett, creating the equaliser.

As Ipswich and Millwall cruised, the Wrexham playoff conundrum was the only aspect that needed an answer. With half an hour remaining, sitting outside the top six, finding a way to win was the only thing occupying minds. There was no lack of effort, but the quality in the final third was letting them down and Middlesbrough were finding joy on the counter.

With parity at Derby and Hull, Wrexham were looking down on their rivals, but were in desperate need of added security. The supporters brought a few more decibels with the aim of inspiring, feeling they could play a keep role in the tightest of battles for sixth.

Things were changing elsewhere as Derby went behind and Hull ahead, moving the Tigers above Wrexham. In the meantime, it was becoming quiet here. Phil Parkinson sent on the striker Kieffer Moore for the centre-back Dan Scarr in search of the goal that was required.

A combination of Ward and the impressive Callum Doyle kept things level as they put their bodies on the line to repel Leo Castledine. This was what the situation necessitated, but Wrexham were still unable to cause problems at the other end.

Windass had the best opportunity to secure immortality in these parts, but he thrashed over from inside the box with four minutes on the clock. Everyone thought it was the defining chance of the match and, in the circumstances, the season, as it petered out in disappointment for both sides. But Middlesbrough still have a chance for glory.