Wrexham suffered a dent to their League One promotion hopes after being held by the Latics, with Wycombe Wanderers in third now only one point behind the Reds following a 1-0 win at home to Stevenage, and both teams have four games remaining in the quest for a top-two finish.

Parkinson’s men had a penalty appeal waved away early in the second half after Ryan Longman’s cross appeared to have been handled in the area but it was Wigan who came closest to breaking the deadlock with the Reds failing to have a shot on target throughout the whole game.

Although disappointed not be awarded a spot-kick, Parkinson admits his players failed to build on a positive start and lost their way in the first half.

“We had a moment where the referee will look at the penalty decision and realise we were pretty harsh not to get that because the lad’s got his arms in an unnatural position,” said the Reds’ boss.

“In real time, I thought it was a penalty and then obviously the lads behind me are getting the feed and they said that it was.

“It looks to me a very clear penalty and I’m surprised the referee hasn’t seen it, but that’s the way it goes.

“We’ve got to look at our performance as well because why did we have those uncharacteristic, sloppy moments in the first half when we are in such control.

“We were passing the ball well, we were finding the spaces where we want them to be.

“We felt we were gradually building into a decent half and then all of a sudden we made some slack decisions, sloppy kind of decisions on the ball, and we have got to look at that because there were too many.

“And that gives the opposition momentum and loses your own momentum in a game of football.”

‘Clear’… Phil Parkinson reacts to ‘contentious’ decision as Wrexham’s promotion hopes dealt a blow

Wrexham were held to a 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic in their latest League One clash.

Neither side managed to create any clear cut chances but Wrexham did have Arthur Okonkwo to thank for their point and clean sheet as he made a crucial stop from a good strike from Maleace Asamoah.

Ryan Lowe warned he would ‘respect’ Wrexham ahead of the game and his side certainly proved tough opposition as they gained a vital point in their bid to stay in League One.

Phil Parkinson’s side did not manage a single shot on target in the match and now find themselves just one point ahead of Wycombe however, things could have turned on a major decision.

READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Wrexham’s League One clash with Wigan Athletic

Phil Parkinson believes Wrexham denied ‘clear’ penalty

Speaking to Matchday Live on Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Parkinson felt that his side were denied a ‘clear’ penalty just after half time.

Ryan Longman’s cross seemed to have struck the arm of Wigan defender Luke Robinson but protests were waved away by the referee Adam Herczeg.

Parkinson stated: “I’ve seen it back and obviously the bench behind me have watched it on the re run and it’s a clear penalty.”

The Red Dragons could not hide his frustration at the decision as fine margins in a clash such as this one always prove pivotal and the repercussions could affect the promotion outcome.

Parkinson explained: “The ref didn’t have too many decisions to make but the one contentious one really I feel he’s got to have a good look at that.”

Wrexham now winless in six games with Adam Herczeg as referee

Referee Adam Herczeg gives Wrexham nightmares as the winless run with him in charge of games stretches to six following the stalemate.

He was in charge of the famous National League semi final defeat to Grimsby Town back in 2022 at the Racecourse Ground and his latest decision would have done nothing to warm him to supporters.