Middlesbrough were left to settle for a place in the Championship play-offs as their draw with Wrexham meant that the Welsh side missed out on a place in the top six.

Tommy Conway's 13th league goal of the season put the visitors in front early on at Stok Cae Ras.

Josh Windass levelled proceedings in sublime fashion with his 17th goal of the campaign across all competitions from a free-kick.

Sam Smith's bullet header completed the turnaround, although David Strelec equalised moments later to round off a frenetic opening half.

But the contest ended level, meaning Boro finished the campaign in fifth as Ipswich Town's victory over Queens Park Rangers ensured the Tractor Boys took second place.

Wrexham - who started the day in sixth - were leapfrogged by Hull City who took the final top-six spot courtesy of their 2-1 win against Norwich City.

The Stok Cae Ras was a sea of red as supporters from both clubs gave their all knowing so much was at stake.

However, the home faithful were silenced in the fourth minute as Callum Brittain's cross was turned into the net by Conway from close range.

Only Watford have claimed more points from losing positions than Wrexham in the Championship this season, and the Red Dragons responded well to that early setback.

They made it 1-1 before the half-hour mark in stunning style as, after Smith was fouled, Windass guided his free-kick beyond Sol Brynn from around 25 yards out.

It got even better before the break as Smith darted in front of Boro captain Dael Fry to head Issa Kabore's cross into the net.

But home delight swiftly turned to concern as Strelec turned Matt Targett's cross beyond Danny Ward just two minutes after Wrexham had taken the lead.

The positive and negative outcomes of results elsewhere continued to filter through to the 10,716-strong crowd in north Wales.

Leo Castledine and Luke Ayling both went close to restoring the away side's lead before Wrexham - who knew they needed to find a late third goal - pushed for a winner.

Substitute Nathan Broadhead broke free before teeing up Windass four minutes from time, although the forward drilled over from the edge of the box - with Smith then having a shot blocked.

And after failing to win, Wrexham's agony was compounded when confirmation of Hull's victory against Norwich filtered through as their campaign came to a heartbreaking end.

As for Boro, their attention turns to the play-offs, with Kim Hellberg's side hosting Southampton at the Riverside Stadium in the semi-final first leg on Saturday, 9 May.

The return leg at St Mary's Stadium will take place three days later.

On the eve of their first campaign in the second tier in 43 years, few would have predicted Wrexham would go into the final day of the regular season in contention for a play-off spot, particularly given that they were a National League side just three years ago.

Prior to the contest with Hellberg's men, club director Shaun Harvey stated the season would be viewed as a success regardless of whether the Red Dragons made the play-offs or not.

There are also clear foundations in place for the club to go again next season and achieve the aim of becoming a Premier League side under their Hollywood ownership.

But having been in the top six for long spells in addition to being in control of their own destiny ahead of the last day, it will still feel like a missed opportunity for Phil Parkinson's side.

Parkinson, his staff and players applauded fans after full-time, and the response from the home fans told the whole story.

They were full of appreciation for the efforts put into a season that saw Wrexham secure their highest-ever league finish.

All is not lost, and the work towards building for a promotion push next season will swiftly begin.

Middlesbrough started with an outside chance of automatic promotion but ended in fifth after a rollercoaster afternoon.

Kim Hellberg's side will now face in-form Southampton in the play-offs with the Saints on a 19-game unbeaten run in the league with the first leg at the Riverside Stadium next Saturday (12:30 BST).

Ensuring Boro take a positive mindset into that semi-final will be Hellberg's biggest task after a season in which they spent 35 of 46 matchdays in the automatic spots.

That seven-game winless streak across March and April proved fatal to their hopes, coupled with an inability to beat lesser sides at home.

But Boro have ended the campaign unbeaten in four and scored 10 goals in those games. They could have done with some of those a few weeks earlier although forwards Tommy Conway and David Strelec have both scored in three of these last four games.

Conway's poacher effort here and Strelec's smart volley were the type of penalty box play that Boro have not always produced when required.

However, Leo Castledine's glaring miss from three yards in the second half after fine approach work was an example of where they have fallen short.

The two games with Southampton should be open, attractive affairs which would suit Boro's style but they will desperately hope star midfielder Hayden Hackney can recover from the calf injury that has kept the Championship's player of the season out since 14 March.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson:

"We've taken the fight to the wire. It just wasn't to be on the day.

"I don't think we can ask the lads for much more than they gave us against a good side.

"Of course we're disappointed, we've enjoyed the season so much we didn't want it to end, but it has but.

"To finish seventh is a real achievement in itself at this level."

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg:

"There were a lot of good things. I'm disappointed we couldn't win the game.

"A beautiful goal, the first goal. We created a lot of opportunities, their free-kick was unbelievable then they scored a headed goal.

"We could have been better with the ball in some moments. Second half it was something similar I think.

"We did good in the defending but we must do better on all of the transition opportunities we had.

"This (play-offs) is a great chance for us. It's a chance we are doing everything to take."