SWINDON Town manager Michael Flynn revealed he has received an apology from the EFL’s head of refereeing, Mike Jones after Wrexham’s controversial fifth goal on Saturday.

Leading 5-3, Town conceded twice in second-half stoppage time to leave the Racecourse Ground with just a point for their efforts.

But Wrexham’s fifth goal was shrouded in controversy after Tom Brewitt was penalised for handball on the edge of the area despite the ball appearing to strike the top of the defender’s shoulder.

Match referee Charles Breakspear awarded a free-kick, from which the hosts managed to convert after Elliot Lee bundled home from Murphy Mahoney’s smart save.

After Swindon’s EFL Trophy penalty shoot-out defeat to Arsenal Under-21s on Tuesday, Flynn told Adver Sport that he had received a phone call from the EFL’s refereeing boss admitting that the decision to penalise Brewitt was incorrect.

Flynn said: “I’ve already had an apology from the head of referees about it not being handball on Tom Brewitt for the fifth goal.

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse. It’s good that they’ve owned up, I like it, but it doesn't help us.

“I do like their honesty and being able to talk to Mike Jones like that. But I was more concerned with the goals we gave away.”

Breakspear’s incorrect call on Brewitt was not the only bad decision of the day, with the match officials also deeming Frazer Blake-Tracy guilty of pulling down Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer in the box.

Replays from behind the goal clearly showed Palmer pulling the Town defender down with him before Breakspear quickly pointed to the spot.

Flynn was keen not to focus on the performance of the officials, however, and reiterated his view that there were plenty of positives for Swindon to take.

He said: “[The players] didn’t put it aside quickly, they were very frustrated. They were hurting, but it’s gone now.

“They’re an honest group, they knew they could have done better on probably all of the goals. But I kept reassuring them and telling them about our good play.

“On a different day, even if we get away at 5-4, that would have flattered them, Wrexham. But like I’ve said, you’ve got to give them credit because they never give up. They kept on going.”