Graham Barrow backed Wrexham midfielder Luke Young, after his early sending off in the FA Cup second-round replay defeat in Newport.
Young saw red after just 12 minutes for a lunging tackle on Mickey Demetriou in front of referee Kevin Johnson - who had no hesitation producing a straight red card.
Newport went on to score four times in the second half to book a lucrative, televised FA Cup third round tie at home to former Premier League champions Leicester City.
But Barrow insists there was no malice in Young’s attempt to play the ball - revealing the Wrexham midfielder had actually come off worse from what the Dragons’ interim manager thought was a fair tackle.
“Obviously a lot revolves around the sending off,” he said. “I only saw the tackle and it was fair and square to me - if you see Youngy’s legs, he’s actually got deep cuts down both shins.
“My interpretation was that he got the ball first and I think we all know the lad - he hasn’t got that malice in him to make a bad challenge.
“I know it was a short time, but up to Youngy being sent off we looked alright to be honest. We were the better team at that stage and looked really comfortable.
“We certainly didn’t lie down after that but obviously it’s hard to play.”
Having weathered the subsequent storm, Barrow was pleased to get in at half-time still goalless but admitted the first goal - just four minutes after the break - was a sucker punch.
Barrow also felt there had been a foul in the box, on Akil Wright, as Wrexham looked to defend the corner from which Newport opened the scoring.
And Wrexham’s caretaker manager felt the final score flattered the League Two hosts.
“When we got to half-time at 0-0 it does give you hope to pinch a result but lo and behold the officials let themselves down on the first goal too - where there were blocks going on.
“They would have become edgier and edgier but the first goal came too early in the second-half. I have no complaints about the other goals and no complaints about the players’ efforts as well.
“It seemed to be a stupid corner that we gave away that gave them the breakthrough. In that situation, the 11 men are just looking for that break and then it becomes a steeper hill to climb.
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Wrexham AFC 0 Newport County 0
“I’m not condoning that it’s four, but we were disappointed it was four because it puts a false scoreline to the efforts the players put in.
“The FA Cup usually breaks your heart, doesn’t it? I’ve been in it too long to let it get to me now.”
Attention now turns to the FA Trophy, with Wrexham hosting Boston United at the Racecourse on Saturday, before returning to Vanarama National League action a week later.
