Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said Ben Cabango should have been sent off for what could have been a “leg-breaking” challenge on Callum O’Hare in his side’s stalemate with Welsh rivals Swansea on Saturday.
The main talking point of a goalless contest with few clear-cut chances came 13 minutes from time when Swansea defender Cabango took out O’Hare on the touchline right in front of Parkinson.
Angry Wrexham players surrounded referee Elliot Bell demanding Cabango see red, but the punishment was a yellow card.
“When we review the game they should have been down to 10 men,” Parkinson said.
“First of all, Ben Cabango grabbed Kieffer [Moore] around the neck on the halfway line before that. A yellow card and then the tackle, which is out of control and endangering a player. That is a straight red card.
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“I know we want to protect our players but, when someone flies in at that speed, that could have been a leg-breaking challenge.
“Callum’s got an ice pack on his leg and hopefully he’s OK.”
Swansea were on top in the early stages of a passionate affair that some consider a “derby,” despite the two clubs being 135 miles apart.
But Wrexham had most of the momentum thereafter, with Max Cleworth and Moore unable to accept second-half chances.
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The draw puts Wrexham in 10th place in the second-tier Championship and still with just one win after five games.
“We’ve had the better chances to win the game,” Parkinson said. “I thought we grew into it, got better and better as it went on.
“We had some key moments and didn’t quite take the chances, but we put in an enormous effort and the lads are going to be very proud of that.
“When the EFL fixtures came out we knew we had Millwall on Wednesday and Swansea on Saturday, two long journeys.
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“That can make a significant difference and create excuse making, but there’s none of that from the boys. They were absolutely brilliant.”
Unbeaten Swansea remain top of table, one point clear of five teams.
On the Cabango challenge, head coach Vitor Matos said: “I never comment on ref decisions one way or the other. If he [Parkinson] says that [red card], good for him.”
PA contributed to this report.
