Phil Parkinson wants better protection from referees for Paul Mullin after the Wrexham striker was pushed into advertising hoardings against Bradford.
Wrexham played a 1-1 draw against Bradford City on Saturday in what was a return to Phil Parkinson’s former team.
The League Two fixture at Valley Parade was a hot-headed affair, especially in the first half, when five players were booked.
Wrexham and Bradford play out draw at Valley Parada
Wrexham were on course for a viral three points in West Yorkshire when star striker Paul Mullin scored on the 68th minute against the run of play. Mullin scored with a sharp header from Ryan Barnett’s cross to give them the lead.
However, the Bantams grabbed a late equaliser when Adam Wilson’s shot when in off the crossbar. It was a disappointing end for the Reds but means they’re now unbeaten in six games in all competitions.
They are also fourth in League Two, five points behind league leaders Stockport.
- MORE: Phil Parkinson returns to Bradford for only the second time since ‘history-making’ five-year spell
Phil Parkinson wants better protection for Paul Mullin
Mullin bagged his third goal of the season after returning late to the campaign following an injury he sustained in pre-season.
The talismanic striker looks back to his best, but manager Phil Parkinson wants “better protection” for his star man after he was ‘pushed into the advertising hoardings’ at Bradford.
Parkinson believes the challenge was a stonewall penalty, however, the referee on the day thought otherwise.
Parkinson spoke to reporters about the incident and the rough treatment on Mullin in general: “How the ref hasn’t given that is incredible. We could all see that the lad’s slid in, caught him and pulled him down.
“It’s an absolute stonewall penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty but you’re also crying out for better protection in open play for Mulls. I thought he got pushed into the hoardings in the second half but it is a physical game. That’s how we like it but I think when the ref looks back at it, he’ll see that it was a clear pen.”
” A hard earned point”
Parkinson added that it was a hard-earned point at a difficult away ground.
“Definitely a hard-earned point. We knew coming here today with a full house it was going to be a feisty encounter, it was fast and furious at times.
“When you go a goal ahead you want to take the three points, but we had to withstand pressure in the second period. I thought the way we defended our box was outstanding.
“Obviously disappointed to concede, but this is a difficult place to come, especially with the atmosphere today and it’s another hard-earned point for us.”