Parkinson insists the goalkeeper has the mentality and track record to bounce back.
Okonkwo’s handling error in the 90th minute allowed Swansea City substitute Adam Idah to force the ball over the line and seal a dramatic 2-1 victory, condemning Wrexham to yet another setback from a winning position.
But Parkinson was quick to defend his goalkeeper after the final whistle, stressing that one high-profile error should not define a player who has delivered consistently for the club.
“It’s a tough way to lose a game of football with such a high profile error and such a strange goal,” said Parkinson.
“But Arthur Okohkwo has been excellent for us last season and this and has been a colossus of a goalkeeper.
“He will get every bit of support from us because he has won us a lot of points over the years.
“He has been brilliant for us but when you make a mistake like that it is going to be highlighted, but he’s a tough character.”
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Parkinson’s defence of Okonkwo came after Wrexham surrendered a lead in the closing stages of a fiercely contested derby, a result that further underlined a troubling trend.
No side in the Championship has dropped more points from winning positions this season than Wrexham, who have now let 18 slip away.
Swansea head coach Vitor Matos also reflected on the fine margins that defined the contest, admitting his side struggled initially but praising their response after an early setback.
“These games have these kinds of moments. We were a bit nervous and anxious at the start,” Matos said.
“After the own goal we knew we had to grab hold of the game. More than the result, I'm pleased with the way we bounced back from the own goal.”
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Matos also highlighted the impact of match-winner Idah, who capitalised ruthlessly on Okonkwo’s mistake deep into stoppage time.
“Adam Idah can offer that because he is a striker with a hunger to score. He needs that for himself because he hasn't been starting and wants to make an impact when he comes on,” he said.
“The idea was to bring him on and let him do that so I'm really happy for him.”
The dramatic finale came after a match that swung wildly in momentum and emotion.
Swansea, buoyed by pre-match bravado that included bold claims about being the dominant force in Welsh football, were rocked early on when Wrexham took the lead after just 14 minutes.
Ryan Longman’s cross from the right was turned into his own net by Cameron Burgess, the defender’s third own goal of the campaign.
That early blow stunned the home crowd and handed Wrexham control, even though the visitors struggled to create much themselves.
Swansea dominated possession and chances throughout the first half, registering 12 attempts before the break, but somehow went in trailing without Wrexham having managed a single shot.
Wrexham briefly threatened after the restart when George Thomason registered their first effort of the game in the 47th minute, yet it was Swansea who continued to apply pressure.
Their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 70th minute when Zan Vipotnik showed sharp instincts inside the box, spinning onto the ball and firing goalwards.
His shot deflected off the outstretched foot of Dom Hyam and beyond Okonkwo to bring the scores level.
From there, the game appeared to be heading for a draw until the late drama that decided it.
A routine-looking situation inside the Wrexham penalty area turned catastrophic when Okonkwo failed to gather cleanly, allowing Idah to pounce from close range and bundle the ball over the line to spark wild celebrations among the Swansea support.
The defeat was made even more painful for Wrexham by a serious-looking injury to Lewis O’Brien following a challenge from Ethan Galbraith, who was shown a yellow card by referee Oliver Langford.
Parkinson did not hide his anger over the incident.
“If you look at the tackle it’s a bad one – high and dangerous. I think he was very lucky not to get a red card because Lewis has injured his knee and dislocated his shoulder,” he said.
The result delivered a third win for Matos since taking charge at Swansea and lifted his side further clear of the relegation zone, while Wrexham were left to reflect on another opportunity missed.
They arrived five points off the play-off places but remain mired in mid-table, with promotion ambitions dented by costly lapses at key moments.
For Parkinson, however, the focus quickly turned to ensuring his players — particularly Okonkwo — emerge stronger from the setback.
His message was clear: mistakes happen, even on the biggest stages, but belief in character and past performances must prevail as Wrexham look to steady their season and halt a worrying pattern of late collapses.
