Referee rushed his penalty decision and changed his mind, Martin confirms

Dons' Carlton Morris was taken out by Shrews keeper Joe Murphy after 22 minutes, leaving many of the 5,700 in attendance with little doubt that it was a penalty, especially as Mr Wright pointed to the spot.

But after a few seconds, he awarded a corner kick instead as Dons players were left confused and frustrated by his change of heart.

Omar Beckles then fired Shrewsbury ahead on 61 minutes as the home side threatened to pull the rug from under Dons, but Rhys Healey's ninth goal of the season 12 minutes from time saw Dons secure a point to move 10 points clear of the drop zone.

Everyone was left talking about the penalty that should have been but never was though.

"No doubt about it!" said Martin when asked whether it was a spot kick. "He gave it, no-one complained, it was stone wall. Their bench knew, he pointed to the spot and then for some reason changed his mind.

"I asked the fourth official, I didn't get an answer but he didn't have an impact on the decision either. He felt he gave the penalty too quickly, and needed time to assess, but he gave a decision that was wrong. It was either a penalty of a goal kick, and he gave a corner.

"It's not the reason we didn't win, but if we scored first, there was no doubt in my mind we'd win the game. I think he's made a mistake. We're not too mental on the sidelines – that's not our approach – but that was really frustrating. There's a sense of injustice but it is what it is. He'll hold his hands up at some point."

Alex Gilbey added: "That was mental. I said if it wasn't a pen, it was a goal kick because Carlton has kicked it out, but he gave a corner. It's a blatant penalty for me.

"There wree a few decisions out there which were not the best, but that's what we're working with."