Wrexham's Parkinson bemoans 'game-changing' decision in loss - ESPN

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson insisted Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards should have seen red for denying a goal-scoring opportunity and called it a «game-changing» moment in the Welsh club's 2-1 defeat at St Mary's on their return to English soccer's second tier after a 43-year absence.

Josh Windass put Wrexham ahead from the penalty spot in their Championship opener after Kieffer Moore was blatantly pushed over when through on goal in the 22nd minute.

But Edwards was only booked and Southampton took advantage of keeping 11 players on the field as substitute Ryan Manning swept home a brilliant 25-yard free kick in the 90th minute.

Southampton captain Jack Stephens added to Wrexham's agony in the sixth minute of stoppage time by firing home off the crossbar.

«He was clean through and he gets pushed down for the penalty,» Parkinson said after Wrexham's first game in the second tier of English football in 43 years.

«I've spoken to the ref and said, 'Look, my interpretation of that rule is if it's an intentional push it's a straight red'.

»I saw it from the touchline and the footage again at halftime. I can't see how he's not got that right because it's a game-changing moment as they're down to 10 men.

«I know the ref feels there's a covering defender. But if you're about to strike the ball on goal where he was on the pitch, and the player intentionally pushes you to the ground, the ref's got to make that call right.»

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After winning three successive promotions to move from the National League to the Championship in record-breaking time, the Welsh club owned by Hollywood actors