Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Football

Harri Burton

Tue 7 April 2026 22:33, UK

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Josh Windass should have seen his goal ruled out for a blatant foul in the build-up between Wrexham and Southampton in the Championship.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Gavin Ward failed to punish Kieffer Moore’s illegal jump on Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The Red Dragons lost rather embarrassingly at the SToK Cae Ras, shipping five goals in a 5-1 defeat, but it should have been even worse for Phil Parkinson’s side on Tuesday, 7 April.

Wrexham have now dropped out of the Championship play-off spots, thanks to the damaging loss, and Hackett doesn’t understand why Windass’ goal was allowed to stand in the first half.

Keith Hackett stunned as Josh Windass’ goal stands vs Southampton

With the goal halving the home side’s deficit at the time, it could have easily been a turning point against the Saints, but they would eventually run riot away from St Mary’s Stadium.

Moore is known by international referees for being very dominant and careless when challenging in the air, but the referee failed to recognise this when he took out Southampton’s No.6 on the night.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Wrexham’s only goal on the night, the former referee said: “The goal should have been ruled out following a clear foul in the build-up.

“The foul was a clear push on the defender to take him out of the game.”

Travelling fans destroy refereeing decision at SToK Cae Ras

Away fans were furious to see Wrexham get away with “murder” for Windass’ goal, and they certainly would have made more out of the incident had the Saints failed to secure three points.

However, Kuryu Matsuki, Flynn Downes, Cyle Larin, Ross Stewart and Finn Azaz got in on the action to ensure that all three points went back to St Mary’s Stadium.

While it didn’t have a lasting impact on the result, it certainly raises questions over the ability of referees in the Championship, with Premier League officials also taking a lot of slack.