Phil Parkinson believes George Dobson was unlucky to be sent-off in Wrexham’s FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
However, after being recommended by VAR to review the decision via the pitch-side monitor at the Racecourse Ground, Bankes changed the colour of the card from yellow to red, citing “serious foul play”.
It meant Wrexham had to see out the remaining minutes of the regular 90 and then extra-time with a man disadvantage.
Chelsea duly made the extra man count, though not without surviving a Lewis Brunt disallowed goal, as Garnacho and Joao Pedro struck to seal a 4-2 win and therefore a place in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Parkinson felt the initial decision should have stood but heaped praise on his team’s performance with ten-men.
He said: "In the second half I think we were the better team and I was confident we were going to win. The referee gave a yellow. I'm not sure of the rules, it's the first time we've had VAR and it has to be clear and obvious to overturn it.
Wrexham's George Dobson receives a red card for a reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho 🟥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2026
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/czapYyhlF5
“I think the referee could have just kept it at a yellow.
"I said at the break in extra time there are still going to be chances for us. Unfortunately we didn't take one but we have to take a lot of heart from that performance.
"It's been a great cup run. Tonight was a great spectacle and we were competitive against a very good side. We will take a lot of positives from it."
