Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes the decision to award a penalty to Wrexham during yesterday’s 2-0 defeat was ‘dubious at best’.
The Grecians entered the game on their longest unbeaten run of the season, having not tasted defeat since losing 3-0 at Charlton Athletic in February. Despite that, Caldwell’s team still sat in the bottom half of the table.
They welcomed promotion contenders Wrexham to St James’ Park hoping to extend that run but were widely outplayed during a one-sided contest. Ollie Rathbone gave the visitors a first half lead but the game was ultimately decided by a contentious second half decision.
With the Red Dragons chasing a second goal to put the tie to bed, they were awarded a penalty when defender Jack McMillan was adjudged to have brought down former England international Jay Rodriguez, with the striker duly slotting away the spot kick. However, replays showed there was little contact.
Caldwell Disappointed But Accepts Defeat
Speaking after the game, Caldwell admitted his team wasn’t at the races, although couldn’t resist a swipe at the penalty decision which ultimately settled the game:
“I thought we were in the game, but I just need more commitment from the players, I need more second actions, I need that last yard to be better.
“We’re disappointed to lose, of course, but it’s a deflected shot in the first half and a dubious penalty at best. I thought we did everything we asked was there early on but we didn’t do it enough and there wasn’t enough desire or intent to go past people, to shoot…
“The players gave everything, but it’s the final actions today.”
Both teams are in action again on Tuesday night when Exeter visit Barnsley whilst Wrexham travel to relegation threatened Cambridge United.
Writer’s View
Looking at the replays, it was quite frankly an outrageous decision to award Wrexham a penalty. There was little to no contact on Rodriguez and it was clear the attacker hit the deck with only one thing in mind. However, there’s no doubt that the visitors were the deserved victors on the day. Caldwell was perhaps a little scathing in his assessment of his players performance but they were outplayed from start to finish. Wrexham are starting to look good value for a third successive promotion.
