Notts County boss Luke Williams admits it will now be tough for his side to win the National League title - and automatic promotion to the EFL - after their 3-2 loss to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.
The Magpies had taken the lead with a John Bostock free-kick just before half-time, but Paul Mullin and Jacob Mendy hit back to put the home side in front with 20 minutes to go.
County captain Kyle Cameron levelled six minutes later, but Notts were again pegged back as a defensive error allowed Elliot Lee to slot home to put Phil Parkinson's side in front once more.
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But when a penalty was given on the cusp of full-time for a handball inside the Wrexham area, County had a lifeline. Cedwyn Scott stepped up to take it, but saw his effort superbly saved by veteran keeper Ben Foster to swing the pendulum back in favour of the Welsh outfit.
Speaking after the game, Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We knew that we were always chasing and we had an opportunity to make it much more difficult for them, but I think now the momentum is with them and we have to try to apply maximum pressure by winning our remaining games.
"We knew it was going to be a very tough challenge. With Wrexham dropping points on Friday we felt like maybe there is a difference, but coming here we were ultimately unable to turn them over and I think we're back in the same position as before."
It was a case of so close, yet so far with the Magpies acquitting themselves well in a cauldron of noise inside the Racecourse Ground, yet ultimately falling short, despite having a golden opportunity right at the end to snatch a dramatic point.
With Notts' normal penalty taker Ruben Rodrigues off the pitch having been substituted earlier in the game, Scott took the responsibility and placed the ball down on the spot, only to his effort saved brilliantly by the sprawling hand of former Premier League star Foster.
It was a huge moment in the contest, but when reflecting on the overall outcome, Williams explained it would have made little difference to the title race as a whole - providing clarity on how the decision for Scott to take the penalty was made.
"We would prefer to draw the game of course, but I think in the grand scheme of things it would not have made a huge difference.
"I leave it to the players - with 10 seconds on the clock away to Wrexham when both teams are on 100 points, the guy who is willing to take the penalty, and Cedwyn wanted to take the penalty, I am fine with that.
"I would always back Cedwyn with his quality of strike to finish but he is up against a very good goalkeeper."
