Wrexham more than held their own in their first Championship fixture against Southampton.
The Red Dragons fielded a new-look squad at St Mary’s, which saw six summer signings in the starting line-up.
Despite Southampton playing Premier League football last term, Wrexham were excellent in the first 45.
Josh Windass was among those who impressed, scoring on his debut after the Saints gave away a penalty.
Some have since suggested the defender who committed the foul should have been sent off for the challenge, including Jobi McAnuff when speaking about the game live on Sky Sports.
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Mark Clattenburg reaction to Wrexham penalty vs Southampton
Another new arrival, Kieffer Moore, was played through on goal before being pushed in the back by Ronnie Edwards.
Referee James Bell pointed to the spot but opted against booking Edwards.
The Wrexham Insider has now spoken exclusively to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg for his thoughts on the decision not to show Edwards a card.
While he did say a yellow card should have been shown, he suggested there was no red card shown due to a covering defender casting doubt over whether it was a goal-scoring opportunity for Moore or not.
He said: “Ronnie Edwards’ challenge was deemed a challenge that was not worthy of a red card after awarding a penalty kick. The referee, James Bell, had to deem if the challenge was a genuine attempt for the ball to award a red card.
“A push in the back is not a genuine attempt to play the ball so therefore the only other thing that can save Edwards from a red card is a covering defender. I believe that there is a covering defender so there is doubt if it is a goal-scoring opportunity to Moore. However, a yellow card should have been shown as it stops a promising attack.”
Positives from Wrexham defeat to Southampton
Wrexham conceded an equaliser in the 90th minute before Jack Stephens’ 96th-minute winner.
It was a heartbreaking end to their debut game in the Championship, but there were some positives.
The Dragons had plenty of chances to score more, but they just failed to take them.
Meanwhile, all of Windass, Moore and Lewis O’Brien shone on their competitive debuts.