BIZARRE RED LETS WYCOMBE OFF HOOK
Holloway nets late leveller
CHRIS Wilder refused to blame the officials despite his Northampton side conceding a late equaliser against Wycombe after Gregor Robertson was sent off in bizarre circumstances.
Aaron Holloway’s first Wycombe goal earned his side a point in the dying seconds as the Chairboys left it late to extend their unbeaten run to eight league games.
Holloway headed home Joe Jacobson’s 95th-minute corner, which sparked a spot of handbags from players of both sides after a heated fixture at Adams Park.
Earlier, Ryan Cresswell had given the visitors the lead on 31 minutes but they looked vulnerable after losing Gregor Robertson to a controversial second yellow card late on.
But Cobbler boss Wilder was in reflective mood after the incident, which saw Robertson dismissed for time wasting despite waiting for an imminent substitution to be made.
“I think the referee was a bit unfortunate really because I don’t think he’s seen the fourth official as we were making a change,” said Wilder.
“We are all professional so we’re not going to go running after the ball when winning but I’m not the type of manager to be encouraging those kind of timewasting tactics. It’s not the way we set our stall out.
“Gregor is waiting for John-Joe O’Toole to get on and the ref hasn’t seen
it. Maybe the ref should have a chat with his colleague but there we are.
“The incident at the end is part and parcel of the game. These are two passionate teams and two managers who want to go and get a result and I’m all for that.
“Maybe Wycombe felt a couple of decisions went against them and that’s why they’ve reacted. But it’s not an issue.
“There wasn’t a good deal of quality on show but we got the first goal, which is important at this level, but they’ll be delighted with the goal at the end – it’s a great header to be fair to the boy.”
The Chairboys would have gone top of League Two with a win but Northampton started brighter with Lawson D’Ath heading over after meeting Chris Hackett’s cross just ten yards out.
The away fans didn’t have to wait long though, as Cresswell climbed highest to meet Joel Byrom’s delivery and power past the helpless Matt Ingram.
The home side came out of half-time with more intent and Paul Hayes thought he’d bagged his sixth of the season but for his close-range header to be ruled offside.
Northampton were holding firm until Robertson’s red and Wycombe saw the chance to capitalise by piling on the pressure.
First Sam Wood forced Jordan Archer to tip the ball round his right-hand post before Jacobson’s late-gasp corner was met by the leaping Holloway to send the Chairboys faithful home happy. Gareth Ainsworth admitted that Robertson was unlucky to see red but that didn’t curb his delight at the final whistle after Holloway provided the late drama.
The Wycombe boss felt his side did enough to earn a share of spoils as they continue their remarkable start to the season in the automatic promotion places.
“I would have been devastated if we didn’t get anything out of the game,” said Ainsworth.
“I thought we were the better side in the second half and took the game to Northampton. It was a scrappy game but to get a point at the end was just reward for the boys and their effort.
“I thought their lad was very unfortunate to get sent off if you want my honest opinion.
“I’m not going to go against the referee but it seems Robertson was very unlucky.”