Wimbledon boss Jackson left bemused by refereeing decisions in Boxing Day draw.
AFC Wimbledon had to settle for a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Newport County after going down to ten men in a Boxing Day thriller.
Second-half goals from Ethan Chislett and Offrande Zanzala meant the spoils were shared, but Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson was unhappy with a pair of controversial refereeing decisions.
In the 66th minute, Kyle Hudlin was sent off due to violent conduct. However, Jackson was quick to defend his 22-year-old striker.
About referee Paul Howard’s decision, he said: “I thought it was soft to be honest. I was right there, he (Howard) said he headbutted him but I didn’t see that.”
Throughout the game emotions were running high among both sets of players and their managers, but the Dons boss was also left bemused by Howard’s decision to award Newport a 70th-minute penalty which was converted by Zanzala.
He said: “I am really proud of the boys. The way they dug in, I think that they deserve more because the penalty that was given against us is an absolute scandal.
“We go down to ten men and we defend well. They are given an opportunity because we have got ten men, and they are given another opportunity for the softest goal that you have ever seen. It’s hard to take.”
It’s now nine league games unbeaten for Wimbledon, who suffered their last defeat against Sutton United back in October.
Jackson is happy with the position his side are in at the moment and the progress they are making, but admitted he would like to bolster his squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
“We would like a bit of help. We feel if we add a couple in the right areas, the right types to make us a little bit stronger, then that gives us a real opportunity to attack the second half of the season,” he explained.
“You just have to watch this space.” .
When asked if he had to move any players on before adding to his squad, Jackson said: “There may have to be manoeuvring here or there. If we make adjustments again it will all have to be within our (financial) realm.”
He added: “We are still paying for this beautiful facility (the Cherry Red Records Stadium) that we have got here, and we have to be proven as a football club. But at the same time, I want to be ambitious, and the position we have put ourselves in has given us an opportunity now.
“If we have a strong second half of the season we know where that can take us, we just have to wait and see.”
Wimbledon’s next game sees them face League Two strugglers Colchester United on Thursday.
