Forest Green Rovers manager Steve Cotterill has now given his honest verdict on the late penalty awarded to Wrexham.
Wrexham were back in action last night for their fifth and final away game of the month as they travelled to Forest Green Rovers.
Phil Parkinson’s side have gone through a rocky road in their march towards promotion and ensuring his players recover correctly has been crucial.
The Reds boss would have hoped for his side to secure an important three points in their battle at the leagues summit but they had to rely on a late Paul Mullin penalty to salvage a draw.
Following this result, supporters questioned Parkinson’s decision-making and the manner of the performances they’ve seen as of late.
Wrexham simply haven’t been good enough and two wins in their last nine matches is telling of the problems they’ve had.
Parkinson was fortunate that his side managed to rescue a point thanks to Mullin’s 93rd-minute penalty.
Now, the man in the opposite dugout, Steve Cotterill, has given his verdict on the decision to award the spot kick.
Steve Cotterill claims Wrexham penalty was ‘harsh’
Wrexham were awarded a penalty after Jamie Robson flew two-footed into a tackle on Mullin and was perhaps lucky to escape a red card.
Reflecting on that moment in the match, Cotterill somehow thought it was harsh for the visitors to be given a spot kick despite watching his player fly recklessly into the Wrexham striker.
“I’ve looked back at the penalty and I keep looking back at it and I think it’s harsh, I really do,” Cotterill said. “Obviously, at the time it comes as well it’s a real kick in the teeth for the boys but it’s another point on the board”.
With his side in a relegation battle, the Forest Green boss is going to argue for any decision in his favour, but even he has to admit it was a stonewall penalty and if the shoe was on the other foot, he’d be wanting a spot kick for his side.
It wasn’t the first time in recent weeks that an opposition manager hasn’t been happy about a refereeing decision.
Following the 1-1 draw against MK Dons a week ago, Mike Williamson was incensed that his side weren’t awarded a goal after Arthur Okonkwo was adjudged to have dropped the ball over the line and even claimed that Wrexham receive “preferential treatment” from referees.
The job of football management is highly pressured; everyone is fighting to keep their place in the hot seat and battle for every point.
Parkinson himself will feel some pressure on him at the moment after guiding the Reds through a poor slump of form but a return to a return to the Racecourse this weekend could be the catalyst for one big, final push for promotion.