'A great opportunity... we didn't take it' - Parkinson

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has acknowledged his side's 2-0 defeat at Reading was a missed opportunity.

Victory would have seen Parkinson's side move above Wycombe Wanderers – who they face on Saturday - into second spot in League One.

"It was a great opportunity and we haven't taken it," Parkinson said. "That's the harsh reality of it.

"Preparation was good, we came down here ready to give it our all and we came up short. We move on to Wycombe."

Parkinson bemoaned the penalty awarded in the Reading game and says the decision changed the course of the game.

Reading were awarded a penalty early in the second half after Eoghan O'Connell was adjudged to have fouled Jayden Wareham and Harvey Knibbs scored from the spot.

Lewis Wing scored Reading's second seven minutes later to seal victory and deny Wrexham the chance of moving up to second in League One.

"It's one of the softest penalties I've seen for many a year," Parkinson said.

"How he's given that is absolutely incredible. Honestly you've got to see it to believe it.

"Of course we can do better and it's not all about the ref – we've had chances to get back into the game and we haven't taken them.

"But the game changed on that decision.

"Their second goal, the lad's struck it brilliantly, but we can still do better.

"Obviously they got their tails us didn't they and it was an extra energy about them which happens obviously when you get quickfire goals.

"We felt that if we'd have got one we'd get back into the game and we so nearly did."

"It just wasn't to be."