It was no surprise to see Parkinson ring the changes for the visit of Wolves.
He said ahead of kick-off: “This competition is an exciting one because the prize is a trip to Wembley so you never discount it.
“But as a manager you have got to utilise the squad for the motivation of the group.”
The Reds’ boss made 11 changes, naming a completely different side to the one that started Saturday’s 4-1 win against Northampton Town which kept Wrexham second in League One with 20 points from the opening 10 games.
Midfielder Harry Ashfield, who impressed when he came on as substitute in the last Trophy game against Salford, was handed his full first-team debut.
Wrexham saw a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges and when Sebastian Revan was fouled to the left of the area, the wing-back whipped in a free-kick which was headed over by Faal.
There was a chance when Ashfield darted forward and fed James Jones whose low drive was parried by keeper Tom King.
Wrexham had the upper hand and they took the lead in the 22nd minute.
Anthony Forde delivered a superb free-kick which was volleyed home by Brunt from close range.
There was no let-up from the Reds and when Ollie Rathbone won the ball in the area, he found Mullin who was denied by King.
Revan embarked on a brilliant run through the Wolves defence and just couldn’t find a red shirt with his low cross, but Wrexham went 2-0 up in the 38th minute.
Mullin latched onto Forde’s brilliant ball over the top and the striker lobbed King to leave the Reds well in control at the break.
Revan headed wide from Forde’s cross early in the second half but Wrexham made it 3-0 in the 57th minute.
The ball was played into the area and Faal scored with a stunning volley kick to get off the mark for the Reds.
Wrexham continued to probe and Revan’s effort was parried by King while Fletcher Holman fired wide with a rare Wolves opportunity.
Callum Burton had been a spectator but the Reds’ goalkeeper made a routine save before substitute Jack Marriott’s late shot at the other end was blocked following a well-timed tackle by a defender.
More pressure didn’t lead to any more goals as Wrexham clinched a routine victory to move into the knockout stages.
Wrexham (3-5-2): Burton; James, Brunt, Boyle; Forde, Jones, Rathbone (McClean 87), Ashfield (Dobson 80), Revan; Mullin (Marriott 83), Faal (Fletcher 83). Subs not used: Howard, Scarr, Barnett.
Wolves U21s (5-2-2-1): King; Okoduwa, Mabete, Pond, Voice (Ojinnaka 62), Sutherland; Whittingham, Ashworth; Barnett (Lopes 73), Cundle; Angel (Holman 62). Subs not used: Esen, Farmer, White, Edozie.
Attendance: 3,987 (185 from Wolves).
