Wrexham moved three points clear in the final automatic promotion spot with a 1-0 victory over Stockport County.
In a tight and at times fiery occasion at the Racecourse Ground, it was Matty James who shone in the Wrexham player ratings with an excellent performance in the middle of the park.
Wrexham fans are still undecided over Jay Rodriguez after the striker opened his account for the club when he pounced on the rebound from his missed penalty in the first half.
Stockport fans were furious with James McClean after the Wrexham captain was involved in the penalty decision, his header cannoned off a Stockport arm before the linesman helped the referee give the decision.
However, it was Phil Parkinson who could not hide his frustration at the match officials at the end of the game despite his side’s crucial League One victory.
READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Stockport
Phil Parkinson furious with referee decision in Wrexham win
Speaking to Wrexham’s official Matchday live coverage after the game, Parkinson slammed the decision not to award a penalty for a pull on Sam Smith in the first half.
Parkinson stated: “In all honesty the penalty decision on Sam Smith prior to that is one of the clearest penalties you’re likely to see and I know I’ve been moaning about it but I think I’m justified.”
The Wrexham boss compared the incident to another penalty incident against Wycombe, which once again did not go the way of Smith.
Parkinson explained: “We had a similar incident at Wycombe last week where the lads. I’d probably say is a fifty fifty with Smithy but this one is absolutely clear, he’s pulled him back and we can all see it.”
Wrexham have had considerably less penalties than promotion rivals
The award of the spot kick was only Wrexham’s second penalty all season and Parkinson has revealed his frustration at decisions not going in the favour of the Red Dragons.
Compared to promotion rivals Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers, the gap in penalties awarded is enormous and fine margins like these can often decide promotion races.
| League One statistics | Wrexham | Birmingham | Wycombe |
| Penalties awarded | 2 | 11 | 9 |
Smith has had a number of decisions go against him during his time in North Wales so far and with Wrexham and Wycombe going head to head, goal difference could be crucial this season.
Parkinson will be hoping that something such as a missed penalty decision doesn’t come back to haunt his side at the end of the campaign with such fine margins in play.