Phil Parkinson could find himself in disciplinary trouble after the Wrexham manager questioned the integrity of referee Thomas Parsons.
In the first signs that the pressure of his club’s promotion fight might be taking its toll, Parkinson let rip at the official following Wrexham’s 2-2 draw at Cambridge United.
The Dragons boss was left seething at the officiating after Wrexham’s costly draw, insisting that crucial refereeing decisions denied his side all three points.
The promotion-chasing visitors looked set for victory when Sam Smith headed in a Ryan Longman cross to level the game in the second half.
However, Wrexham saw what they believed was a late winner controversially ruled out, with referee Parsons adjudging the ball had gone out of play before Eoghan O’Connell’s header.
Earlier, Parkinson had also been left fuming by a penalty awarded to Cambridge for a foul by Lewis Brunt on Ryan Loft, a decision he strongly contested.
“The referee’s performance tonight, to say I’m raging is one of the biggest understatements in my 1,000 games,” said Parkinson.
“That penalty decision is one of the worst penalty decisions I’ve seen, and to disallow the goal at the end is completely bizarre.
“There is no way he can be sure that’s gone out of play.
“But the penalty decision is just incredible. The ref couldn’t wait to give them things tonight.”
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The FA normally take a dim view of managers who suggest referees have been motivated by any desire to favour one team over another.
It could lead to a possible disciplinary charge for Parkinson, who had managed to keep a lid on his emotions so far this season, even when decisions have gone against his side.
Despite the frustration, the result keeps Wrexham in the automatic promotion spots, three points clear of Wycombe, who failed to beat bottom-placed Shrewsbury.
However, Wycombe have a game in hand, and a better goal difference, meaning the draw at Cambridge was a clear setback in Wrexham’s bid for automatic promotion to the Championship.
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Parkinson, though furious at the officiating, praised his team’s resilience in difficult circumstances.
“Obviously we came here looking for three points. I thought the performance level was very good.
“A couple of big decisions have gone against us, but I ask the lads for performances and for 80 per cent of the game I thought we played well.
“We stayed controlled even at 2-1 down, got back in the game, and have had a couple of great chances to win it. I was pleased with the composure we showed after the penalty decision to get back in the game.
“We’ve had other chances, other bits of good defending from them, chances we should have taken. All in all, the performance is good, but the result is not what we really want.”
Cambridge, battling relegation, put in a spirited display, coming from behind after George Dobson’s stunning early goal.
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Liam Bennett equalised just before half-time, and Josh Stokes converted the controversial penalty to put the hosts ahead shortly after the break.
Their manager, former Cardiff City boss Neil Harris, was delighted with how his side matched one of the league’s top teams.
“When we talk about what a Neil Harris team looks like, it’s not about just the formation, it’s about the profile of the players in the team and the way I want us to play. We saw that tonight,” he said.
“I want us to be a team that can play forward and run forward, get round second balls. To do that sometimes you need to have a profile of player in your team and we had that tonight.
“Secondly, you need to have moments when you can really handle the football as well.
“That’s what the modern game is and that’s what we’ve got to be as Cambridge United. I fully know what the fans want to see, fully know what this club stands for, and it’s why I’m here. It’s why I’ve been brought here, to deliver that.
“Tonight we had an all-round game and I’m extremely proud of the players because Wrexham are a top, top side.”
