Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds lauded both his side and rivals Notts County after they edged a 3-2 classic to go three points clear in the National League.

The Welsh team took the spoils in a five-goal thriller between the division's top two sides, capped off by goalkeeper Ben Foster's dramatic 97th-minute penalty save.

It means Phil Parkinson's men move to 103 points for the season, just three ahead of County, and with a game in hand on their rivals after a pair of record-breaking seasons.

Hollywood star Reynolds, who owns the club alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney, was quick to credit both his team's opponents and Foster's crucial contribution when he spoke afterwards.

"It was a pressure cooker coming into this, I think, for both of these teams," he told BT Sport. "What both have achieved is historic on every level.

"I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that. When I get my hands on Ben Foster, he's going to be on the injured reserve list, I'm going to break ribs.

"I'm going to hug him so hard. I don't feel like I have a heart anymore. I feel like I used all the beats I have left during that match.

"That was unlike anything I've ever seen before and indicative of all you lifers who have watched and participated in this beautiful, tortuous game forever.

"I'm actually grateful at this moment that I didn't care about this years ago because it would have just eaten me alive. That was really something."

McElhenney, who was also in attendance for the blockbuster encounter, took to social media afterwards, writing on Twitter: "I can’t believe there was a time when I thought football was boring."

Wrexham, who have four games left this season, next face play-off hopefuls Barnet on Saturday.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are taking Wrexham to the United States, where the non-league club will face Manchester United.

San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium will host the friendly on July 25.

Wrexham, who this month signed former United goalkeeper Ben Foster, are pushing for promotion from the National League.

They sit three points clear of Notts County, while they also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, losing to Sheffield United, who have gone on to reach the semi-finals.

The Welsh club were bought by Hollywood A-listers Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020.

"We're looking forward to being able to play in the United States for the first time in the club's history," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

Wrexham last faced United in an FA Cup tie in 1995. The Red Devils' team will be mainly made up of academy players.

Ben Foster has come out of retirement to join National League leaders Wrexham, the club owned by US actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The former England and Manchester United goalkeeper joins the Robins as they look to clinch a return to the English Football League, sprinkling a little more stardust on the promotion project.

Wrexham, who have eight games remaining, are three points clear of nearest rivals Notts County and have a game in hand over the Magpies.

Foster, 39, has spent most of his career in the Premier League and played for Watford last season as the Hornets suffered relegation from the top flight.

He now resumes his career in the fifth tier with a Wrexham side who have been the subject of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, looking at the Reynolds and McElhenney era.

Wrexham have been competing at National League level since 2008, having previously been mainstays of the Football League for over 80 years.

Foster is no stranger to the north Wales club, having had a loan stint there in the early stages of his career, during his time as a Stoke City player.

He said of his return to football: "I'm over the moon. The first time I was here, it was genuinely the springboard to the rest of my career – on the back of the loan move, playing in the LDV Vans Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium, I got my move to Manchester United at the start of the next season. It was absolutely bonkers!

"If you'd told me 18 years ago that I'd have gone on to have the career that I have had, I probably wouldn't have believed you to be honest, so I do owe a lot to Wrexham."

Foster won eight England caps, last featuring in 2014 for the Three Lions, and has signed for Wrexham until the end of the season. He may feature in the home game against York City on Saturday.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told the club's website he was "delighted" to bring in Foster, saying: "It was important we had all bases covered going into the last part of the season, which this signing ensures."

Wrexham and their Hollywood owners will not get a blockbuster Premier League tie in this season's FA Cup after falling agonisingly short of the fifth round and a meeting with Tottenham.

The National League side, backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, would have faced Spurs had they won a replay against Sheffield United on Tuesday following a 3-3 draw in the original tie.

But Premier League hopefuls United delighted in dumping Wrexham out of the competition after a pair of late goals secured a 3-1 home win at Bramall Lane.

Wrexham had threatened to turn another gripping encounter on its head when Paul Mullin cancelled Anel Ahmedhodzic's opener from the penalty spot and then stepped up to take a second spot-kick, having earned both himself.

Blades goalkeeper Adam Davies brilliantly saved the second penalty, however, and the Championship side settled the tie on the counter-attack in the closing stages as Billy Sharp scored in the 94th minute and Sander Berge added a clincher in the 96th.

Sharp was particularly enthused by his role in eliminating Wrexham, having been frustrated by the underdogs' attitude to facing United, as he explained afterwards.

"It was a great cup tie over the two games," Sharp told ITV Sport. "[Wrexham] played excellent. I think they've been disrespectful, though.

"There were a few things before the game, thinking they were already through. I'm glad we've beat them.

"They're doing well in their league, we're doing well in ours. I wasn't happy with a few of their players tonight, but we've got one over on them. Good luck to them for promotion.

"Hopefully we've put that one to bed now, because a few of their players I wasn't happy with.

"I was a little bit frustrated at the end – I probably should have put the game to bed before I did, but it's one of those things. I wanted to win and wanted to get through to the next round."

Asked to expand on his comments, Sharp added of Wrexham: "I wasn't happy with the way they've been as a club. Before the game, they were eyeing up Spurs and they've not even beaten us.

"We're an honest set of lads and we want to go as far as we can in this competition. If we get beat in the next round, so be it. We'll give it a right go.

"I think they thought we were just going to roll over when they get back in it. I think the referee was helping them all night, as well. I don't think he gave me one foul all night tonight, but it's one of those things.

"I've probably lost my head a little bit, but I've got a smile on my face because we've got through to the next round of the cup and the boys deserve it."

Deadpool star Reynolds wrote on Twitter: "So proud of these boys. And the 4,000 plus away supporters who gave it all."

McElhenney, the creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, added: "I could not be more proud of those men than I am right now. They gave it absolutely everything."

The owners would have been concerned by the sight of star striker Mullin hobbling off injured, but McElhenney said in a second post: "Now let’s go win this f***ing league."

Tottenham will face a trip to Wrexham in the fifth round of the FA Cup if the Welsh side overcome Sheffield United in a fourth-round replay next week. 

Wrexham, the National League outfit co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were pegged back at the death in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Championship promotion hopefuls United on Sunday.

Hollywood star Reynolds was in attendance at the Racecourse Ground as John Egan's stoppage-time equaliser denied the hosts a famous win, teeing up next Tuesday's replay at Bramall Lane.

Should the fifth-tier outfit cause an upset against the Blades, they will host Spurs in a mouth-watering midweek tie, a fixture which would certainly be viewed as their biggest since Reynolds and McElhenney took charge in 2021.

Elsewhere, Manchester City will face Bristol City for a place in the quarter-finals after overcoming Premier League title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Friday.

Manchester United's reward for their 3-1 victory over Reading is another home tie against the winners of Monday's meeting between Derby County and West Ham, while Brighton and Hove Albion will go to Stoke City after Kaoru Mitoma's last-gasp strike eliminated holders Liverpool.

The winners of Fulham's replay against Sunderland will host Leeds United, potentially teeing up a rematch of the 1973 final in which the second-tier Black Cats stunned then-holders Leeds with a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium.

The ties will be played during the week commencing February 27 and will be decided by extra time and penalties if drawn, with replays no longer taking place after the fourth round.

All it lacked was a Hollywood ending, but Ryan Reynolds described Wrexham's 3-3 draw against Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round as "one of the most exciting things I've EVER seen".

Wrexham, the Welsh side who compete in the fifth tier of the English league system, were moments away from toppling a Sheffield United side who are closing in on promotion to the Premier League.

Paul Mullin's 27th goal of the season had put Wrexham 3-2 ahead in the 86th minute, with their visitors to the Racecourse Ground by then down to 10 men after Daniel Jebbison was sent off.

Movie star Reynolds, co-owner of the club who have been the subject of a major documentary series during his two years at the helm, was getting ready to celebrate a huge moment in Wrexham's history.

But Sheffield United had not read the script and rode roughshod over the fairy tale ending when John Egan scored in stoppage time to earn a draw, meaning the teams will go to a replay at Bramall Lane.

Rob McElhenney, the actor, writer and producer who also bought into Wrexham, was not there to witness the high drama first hand, but Deadpool main man Reynolds could be seen holding his phone out to the raucous atmosphere with the It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia star on the other end of the line.

It was a game that was shown live on the BBC, with National League leaders Wrexham showing why they could well be back in the Football League next season.

Reynolds wrote on Twitter: "When @RMcElhenney and I got into this it all felt so impossible. But impossible is @Wrexham_AFC's favourite colour.

"That was one of the most exciting things I've EVER seen. Thank you each and every Wrexham supporter who came out and aimed your heart at that pitch tonight."

Reynolds posted a picture of himself with Premier League record scorer Alan Shearer and Manchester United and Wales legend Mark Hughes, who were working as pundits at the game.

Shearer replied to Reynolds' post, writing: "Thank you for your hospitality today!!! What an incredible atmosphere and game. A living breathing screaming nightmare!!!!"

The winners of Manchester City's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea will face Premier League leaders Arsenal or Oxford United.

Top-flight champions City host Chelsea on Sunday, with Arsenal's bid for a record-extending 15th FA Cup success beginning with a visit to the League One U's on Monday.

Holders Liverpool, who overcame Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final, will head to Brighton and Hove Albion if they can get past a replay with Wolves.

Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former midfielder Paul Ince, while Tottenham head to second-tier Preston North End.

Sheffield Wednesday's prize for stunning Newcastle United is a home draw against fellow League One side Fleetwood Town, while non-League high-flyers Wrexham welcome Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, West Ham head to third-tier Derby County, and struggling Southampton will take on Blackpool after the Seasiders dumped out Nottingham Forest.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 28 January.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Preston North End v Tottenham

Southampton v Blackpool

Wrexham v Sheffield United

Ipswich Town v Burnley

Manchester United v Reading

Luton Town or Wigan Athletic v Grimsby Town

Derby County v West Ham

Stoke City v Aston Villa or Stevenage

Blackburn Rovers v Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City

Walsall v Leicester City

Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town

Manchester City or Chelsea v Oxford United or Arsenal

Bristol City or Swansea City v Chesterfield or West Brom

Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool or Wolves

Fulham v Sunderland

Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley v Cardiff City or Leeds United

Hollywood actor and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has suggested the Welsh club may be interested in signing Gareth Bale…although his tongue may have been firmly in his cheek.

The Wales international, who helped his nation qualify for their first World Cup in 64 years on Sunday with a 1-0 playoff win against Ukraine, is out of contract at Real Madrid at the end of this month.

Bale said after the game in Cardiff that he has already received a number of offers for next season, and McElhenney - who co-owns Wrexham with fellow Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds - hinted that one may have come from the non-league club.

Wrexham were denied promotion from the National League after a dramatic 5-4 defeat to Grimsby Town in the playoff semi-finals, but could an audacious move for Bale from the ambitious owners be on the cards?

Quote-tweeting ESPN UK, who asked: "Where will we see Gareth Bale next season?", McElhenney wrote: "I've got a few ideas."

It seems somewhat unlikely that the man who has scored 107 goals in 258 games for Madrid will be turning out at the Racecourse Ground next season, but stranger things have happened, especially when Hollywood is involved.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be back at Wrexham next season despite the Red Dragons failing to reach the promised land of the English Football League.

That assurance came on Saturday evening from Humphrey Ker, the British comedy actor and writer who first brought the club to the attention of the Hollywood duo.

Wrexham suffered a harrowing 5-4 defeat to Grimsby Town after extra time in the National League play-off semi-finals, with Reynolds and McElhenney both at the Racecourse Ground to witness the disappointing reverse.

Ker got to know It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star McElhenney when he joined his production company, and talks between the duo during the first COVID-19 lockdown led to the idea of becoming involved with a team, with McElhenney said to have become hooked on the Netflix documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die.

Deadpool superstar Reynolds was then brought on board and Wrexham were taken over, with the view to making a documentary series about the club, set to be titled Welcome to Wrexham.

But there was a sour twist at the end of the stars' first full season as Wrexham owners, as Grimsby's Luke Waterfall scored his second goal of the game in the 119th minute to give the Mariners victory after extra time, earning them a place in the play-off final at the London Stadium on June 5.

Adding to the cruel narrative was the fact Waterfall is a former Wrexham player.

Ker, executive director of the club, wrote on Twitter: "Thank you to all the players, staff and fans of @Wrexham_AFC for a very special first full season. We will be back, we will be stronger, and we will be honoured to do it for the people of this great town."