Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson fumes over refereeing decisions in his side’s 2-2 draw with Cambridge United on Tuesday night.
In the League One fixture between promotion-chasing Wrexham and relegation-threatened Cambridge United, striker Sam Smith salvaged a draw for Wrexham.
The visitors took an early lead through George Dobson’s long-range strike, however, Cambridge fought back with goals from Liam Bennett and Josh Stokes (from a penalty) to go 2-1 up.
Smith levelled for Wrexham with a header from Ryan Longman’s cross. Despite a late disallowed goal from Elliot Lee, the game ended in a draw – Cambridge’s fourth consecutive one as they fight relegation.
For Wrexham, it was a setback in hoping to extend the gap over 3rd place Wycombe, however, the Welsh outfit remain ahead of the Chairboys, who drew 0-0 with Shrewsbury Town and have a game in hand.
Até agora eu não sei o que o bandeirinha deu…
Gol anulado no último segundo de partida. #WrexhamAFC #WrexhamFX #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/3qTeWuAfMK
— Central do Wrexham AFC 🇧🇷🏴 (@centraldwrexham) April 1, 2025
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said, per Wrexham Leader: “The referee’s performance, to say I’m raging is one of the biggest under-statements in my 1,000 games,” said Parkinson.
“That penalty decision is one of the worst penalty decisions I’ve seen – similar to the one at Reading – and to disallow the goal at the end is completely bizarre.
“You have got to be absolutely sure that ball has gone out of play and 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.
“I asked him if he is he a professional referee because they get research packs as they come into the games.
“Did he watch Cambridge on Saturday throwing themselves to the floor to buy free kicks in those situations because he clearly didn’t.
“There’s absolutely no contact and to give a penalty against us in that situation is tough to take but the way the lads responded, I am very proud.”
On claims Wrexham are getting special treatment by officials, with Parky complaining about decisions at both ends of the pitch going against his side: “Is it a coincidence that the Reading penalty gets given against us, and then tonight.
“Anybody will watch that penalty tonight and say ‘wow, that is unlucky’. It’s absolutely incredible.
“I think there was a comment somewhere that we were fortunate to get the penalty at the weekend.
“But like I keep saying we’ve had three, Wycombe have have had nine and Birmingham have had 11.
“I could do a montage of all the decisions we haven’t had and gone against us.
“I feel the referees sometimes come into these games wanting to make a name for themselves.”
On his side’s efforts, Parkinson said: “We came here looking for three points. I thought the performance level was very good. Obviously, a couple of big decisions have gone against us.
“But I asked the lads for performances and for 80% of the game I thought we played well, controlled even at 2-1 down, got back in the game and we’ve 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, and a brilliant cross by Longy (Longman) and a fantastic finish (by Smith).
“And we had other chances, bits of good defending from them, but there were chances we probably should have taken. But all in all, the performance was good.”
Twitter users reacted as Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson fumes over the refereeing decisions in a 2-2 draw with Cambridge…
@welshinema: Frustrating night against a piss poor team, sloppy passes and sloppy defending cost us and that referee should never officiate EVER again! Move onto Saturday but need to be doing a lot better against bottom half teams like this!
@robj_j: Ref was terrible.worst we’ve seen for a while. loft should have been sent off for that lunge . Never a pen . Gave them everything . But 9 times out of 10 Elliott buries that late chance … always knew there was no way that ref was going to let us score from that corner at the end
@AndyBuchanan72: Wasn’t moaning when they ranted to the officials the other week to get a penalty…🤷🏻♂️
@bates_shane: Should we also speak about all the decisions that have gone in your favour all season. Cry more
@hubbo91: What because he’s not given you at least one penalty for absolutely no reason whatsoever? 🤡
@ChrisDowsett17: Bit rich coming from Parkinson given the decisions they’ve had this year.
@matt_pufc: Good. Wrexham have had far too much from refs this season.
@Danny_elvin99: Did he not see their pen they got on Saturday 🤣
@PeersRyan: It is what it is let’s not start being babies like Stockport fans cry about pens given.
@CalumWilliams: Tbh the pen was pathetic but you can’t say ours wasn’t the other game too
@SeanMuzzy82: Om god this guy is unreal what about the none pens they were given on boxing day and Stockport
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