Dons boss laughed at ref’s explanation for why Wycombe midfielder was not sent off

Mark Bowen was “disappointed” with the performance of referee Samuel Barrot in AFC Wimbledon’s 1-1 draw with League One play-off chasing Wycombe Wanderers.

The Dons took the lead in the 21st minute when Jack Rudoni reacted quickly to head Alex Woodyard’s shot past David Stockdale and into the roof of the net.

Bowen’s side nearly doubled their lead minutes later but Lee Brown chose to be unselfish and instead of shooting at the back post, he passed back to Rudoni and his shot was blocked by a crowd of bodies.

Wycombe brought on Adebayo Akinfenwa and Sullay Kaikai as they searched for an equaliser.

Wanderers eventually found a way past Nik Tzanev in the 80th minute when Akinfenwa arrived at the back post to guide Kaikai’s cross into the net.

Wimbledon were on the break towards the end of the match with Ayoub Assal, but Josh Scowen brought the England U20 international down as he drove towards goal. Barrott only issued the Wycombe midfielder with a yellow card.

“I have just been to speak with the referee, and I just don’t understand it,” said the Welsh manager.

“He spoke about the fact that it [the challenge on Assal] wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity, and quite frankly, I laughed when he told me.

“If he [Assal] doesn’t get brought down by their player then not only is he clean through, but we have two men in the centre, on their own, 20 yards in front of their players.

“If that wasn’t a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity, I don’t know what is. When he explained to me that he didn’t believe it was a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity, I said the challenge itself was a red card – he took him thigh high with the challenge.

“I was disappointed with the referee throughout and a lot of the decisions he made.

“Things were happening through the game where you were thinking: ‘I’m not sure where he has got some of those decisions from.’