Wrexham boss Parkinson vents fury at officials after Carabao Cup exit

‘Beyond belief’ – Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson vents fury at match officials after Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield United as he pinpoints moment that ‘changed game’ for Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney’s side

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson hit out at the referee’s performance in the Red Dragons’ Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield United.

Parkinson was frustrated that Sheffield United’s opening goal in their eventual 4-2 first round win was allowed to stand after what the Wrexham boss considered to be a block inside the area as his team defended a corner. Auston Trusty was allowed to ghost in at the far post and head the ball across the line in the 29th minute, moments after Will Boyle had given the League One side the lead.

Parkinson believes the game hinged on Trusty’s equaliser. Wrexham were certainly good for their 1-0 lead but couldn’t hold onto it for very long, and Sheffield United’s class told in the second half. It means there won’t be a dream Carabao Cup run for the Welsh outfit this season.

“It was a tough game, we made a lot of changes so there was always going to be a disjointed feel to us because we pieced the team together with players who needed to get minutes,” Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“We got the first goal but their first goal should never have been allowed, how the referee hasn’t seen the block is beyond belief. We know they are clever on corners but when it’s as blatant as that I expect the officials to see it.

“If we had kept the lead until half-time it could have been a different night for us, but goals change games.

“It’s a good work out for us, we never like getting beat in any game, but we will take the lessons from it.”

Wrexham began their League One campaign with a 3-2 win over Wycombe last Saturday, and they’re back in league action this Sunday with a trip to fellow promotion-hopefuls Bolton Wanderers.