Newly-promoted Wrexham were cruelly denied a statement opening Championship win at Southampton as the hosts scored two late goals to give Will Still a hugely dramatic victory in his first game in charge.

Saints, relegated from the Premier League last season, trailed for the most of the game but equalised in the 90th minute as Ryan Manning curled in a beautiful 25-yard free-kick, before Jack Stephens bundled in the winner six minutes into injury time.

With six of their eight summer signings in the starting line-up, Wrexham had looked at home at this level and took a well-deserved lead when one of those recruits, Josh Windass, scored a penalty after Kieffer Moore was shoved over by Ronnie Edwards.

The visitors could have been further ahead as Windass hit the bar and Conor Coady and Lewis Brunt spurned excellent chances, while Jay Robinson hit the post for Saints.

There were several other opportunities at both ends in a breathless first half but the second was less frenetic as Southampton dominated possession and gradually took control of the game.

The introduction of Mateus Fernandes – one of many prized Southampton assets linked with a move away – helped the home side to build pressure, and Wrexham’s resistance was finally broken when substitute Manning struck.

Saints kept pushing and Stephens fired in from Manning’s low cross to spark delirious celebrations at a rocking St Mary’s Stadium and give Still, the highly-rated 32-year-old former Lens head coach, a stunning start to life on the south coast.

As for Wrexham, this was yet another memorable episode for the Hollywood-owned club – even if they could not hold on for victory – as they look to build on their unprecedented three successive promotions.