Parkinson admits Dragons couldn't handle red-hot Rovers strikers

Phil Parkinson admits Blackburn taught Wrexham a lesson in their 4-1 FA Cup triumph.

The Dragons took the lead through an Andy Cannon strike but in-form Sammie Szmodics' two goals on either side of a Sam Gallagher effort made it 3-1 at the break.

Sondre Tronstad completed the rout after 59 minutes but Parkinson was proud of the League Two side for making it this far.

He told BBC Match of the Day: "First five or 10 minutes I thought we started a bit edgy then we grew into the game and got the goal. 

"We had another great chance to make it 2-0. Then they've scored a good goal, deflected, but it's still a good move. 

"We were up against a good side with two strikers who are right at the top of their game. 

"It's a great lesson for us. Against better quality players, you've got to be switched on all the time or you get punished, and they punished us tonight. 

"We've had some terrific days in the cup, Shrewsbury away, Mansfield away. 

"Today wasn't the night for us, but we'll regroup and we'll concentrate on a terrific second part of the season in the league."

Szmodics fully deserved his two goals and is ready to take on Newcastle in the fifth round.

He told BBC One Wales: "We thoroughly deserved the win tonight. 

"Wrexham are a tough team and we had to be aware of their strengths and qualities but we managed that really well.

"Chuffed to get through and into the next round, looking forward to Newcastle.

"We feel like we can beat anyone here on our day, there was great support from both fans and fair play to the Wrexham fans, they didn't stop singing all night.

"Hopefully we can take this back into the Championship, I think with the win and the performance it will only help us in doing that."