Exclusive: Wrexham ‘got away with a foul’ as last-minute goal drama analysed
Wrexham should have had their dramatic late winner against Crawley Town disallowed, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Elliot Lee should have been penalised for a foul seconds before he headed in to claim all three points for his side.
Phil Parkinson saw his team maintain their push for a third consecutive promotion after securing a late win away at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday (1 February).
Hackett though, believes the goal that eventually won it for Wrexham should not have been allowed to stand after what happened in the build-up.
Wrexham fortunate as Elliot Lee commits foul before netting winner
For much of the game it looked as though the visitors were well set for a 1-0 win after Matty James had put them 1-0 up with just two minutes on the clock.
However, a stunning strike from Bradley Ibrahim pulled Crawley level in the final minute of normal time, meaning it looked as though Wrexham would be forced to settle for a point.
But in the fifth minute of added time, Lee headed in Ryan Longman’s cross from close range to snatch all three points for Parkinson’s side.
Replays though appeared to show that prior to making his run into the area the attacking midfielder had pulled Crawley midfielder Jeremy Kelly to the ground to ensure he had a free header.
That was not punished by referee Paul Howard, and Hackett now believes should have been enough to rule out what proved to be the winner for Wrexham.
Analysing the goal, the former referee told Football Insider: “Ultimately at the end of the day I think Lee has got away with a foul. I can understand why the opposition are moaning about that.
“I think he’s been fortunate that the referee didn’t penalise it, because I think in the build-up he has fouled his opponent, he’s grabbed him so I think they are fortunate.
“The big point here is the position of the referee, I would have liked the referee to have been a bit wider viewing in rather than being mid-field.
“I think he’s been clever, I think the player’s been clever he’s fouled his opponent and he’s got away with it. Referee’s need to pick those up, that goal shouldn’t have been allowed.”
Following that win, Wrexham remain third in the League One table, four points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
They also gave their promotion hopes a further boost over the weekend with the signing of Reading striker Sam Smith, as reported by Football Insider.
Crawley meanwhile are 22nd in the standings, six points from safety but with games in hand on those directly above them.
In other news, Wycombe Wanderers are in talks to sign a Hull City player on deadline day.
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