Mark Bowen couldn’t hide his anger after seeing Wycombe Wanderers score an equaliser today that came when Alex Woodyard was down injured.
It had all been going to plan after Jack Rudoni’s opener, but we just couldn’t hold out for the three points, and it was our old play-off hero Adebayo Akinfenwa who headed home an equaliser with the Dons skipper on the floor.
Mark was quick to question the decisions of the officials in the build up to the equaliser.
“I’m really angry because the game has been taken away from us by other things over the course of the match,” he said. “The goal that they scored – our captain’s been on the floor for 30 seconds with a torn calf muscle – but the referee’s response to me was that it had to be a head injury for play to be stopped.
“That may be the case, but I watch Champions League and Premier League games every week and the referees can’t wait to blow their whistle. If Woody had been on his feet I don’t think they would have scored their goal. It’s ridiculous. I can’t accept it."
It wasn’t just the opposition’s goal that was a source of anger for our manager. Mark was frustrated with the rough treatment that Ayoub Assal received as he looked to launch a very promising counter-attack in the final knockings of the second half.
“We then had it when Ayoub knocked the ball down the right-hand side and he was clean through – we also had two men 20 yards away in front of their defenders in the middle of the pitch. The referee is trying to tell me it’s not a clear goal scoring opportunity. The challenge itself was a red card because he took Ayoub out knee height.
“Hopefully we’ll feed off this because in a strange way, if we had won today, we would still have had to go to Fleetwood and win. It doesn’t change too much. Maybe it will focus us a bit more. I was worried after Crewe because the lads let themselves down but after today I told the lads that we are still in this fight.”
Finally, Mark also reserved some praise for Rudoni, after his header, following a shot by Woodyard, had given us a deserved lead.
“It was instinctive. I’m pleased for him. He’s gives us those running stats every week, and everyone knows how much potential he has.
“They are a side that asks questions of you all the time in the way that they play but genuinely I don’t think we switched off even once all game. Let’s see what next week brings. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
Pic credit: Ian Stephen, Pro Sports Images.