Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield believes his side should have been awarded a penalty in their 2-0 loss away at Shrewsbury Town.
An own goal from Jordan Willis on 31 minutes and a Rekeil Pyke strike in the dying embers of the match secured what was Wycombe’s second defeat in 2023.
However, a real turning point in the match came with seven minutes remaining when Lewis Wing’s free-kick was handled in the Shrews box by Jordan Shipley.
Referee Carl Brook seemed to be in a great position to see the infringement, but no spot kick was given, and just three minutes later, Pyke scored his third of the season to wrap up the victory.
HOW IN THE WORLD IS THAT NOT A HANDBALL??? 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/KZ7ahdF3qq
— WWFC Mexico (@WycombeMexico) February 25, 2023
READ MORE: 'We are not going to get too down' - Matt Bloomfield on Wycombe's loss at Shrewsbury
However, Bloomfield did also admit that it would be ‘easy to look for excuses’ following the defeat.
Speaking to the press at New Meadow, Bloomfield said: “It certainly was a penalty as his arm was put out to the side to block the shot and at 1-0 down, it was really disappointing to note to get as we had the momentum and were in the ascendency.
“These are small moments that dictate football matches and it wasn’t our day today.
“It can be easy to look for excuses and look for reasons in and around the loss, but the game was tight and we played ok.
“They didn’t have a shot on target until the end, we had chances and we lost 2-0, but there were positives to take and of course, we want to improve on them.
Fair to say that Carl Brook didn't have the best of games today, and this sums it up.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 25, 2023
His positioning is perfect and at 1-0, a penalty could have made all the difference.
Will be speaking to Bloomfield shortly.#Chairboys https://t.co/HTHvHwTZC8
READ MORE: Wycombe defeated for only the second time in 2023 as they lose 2-0 away at Shrewsbury
“We’ve got to get the balance right so that we’re not too high when we win and not too low when we lose.”
Wycombe take on Bracknell Town in the Berks & Bucks Cup on February 28, before facing Exeter City in League One at Adams Park on March 4.
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