Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has questioned whether Southampton should have been reduced to 10 men before a thrilling late comeback at St Mary’s Stadium saw the Saints win Saturday’s Championship opener 2-1.
The Welsh side led for much of the match thanks to a Josh Windass penalty after Kieffer Moore was shoved over in the area by Ronnie Edwards, only for Southampton to snatch victory with two goals in time added on.
But Parkinson believes that Southampton defender Edwards should have been sent off for his foul on Moore that led to Wrexham’s 22nd-minute spot kick.
“I want to look at the moment again when he [Moore] is clean through [on goal] and gets pushed down for the penalty,” Parkinson said after the game.
“I’ve just spoken to the ref [James Bell] and said my interpretation of that rule is that if it’s an intentional push it’s a straight red.
“We saw that from the touchline, we saw it again on the footage at half-time and I can’t see how he’s not got that right, it’s a game-changing moment if they go down to 10 men.
“I know the ref feels there was a covering defender but if you’re just about to strike the ball on goal and the player intentionally pushes you to the ground, for me the ref’s got to make that call right.”
