WREXHAM manager Brian Little claimed his side were let down by referee Darren Deadman during the New Year’s day defeat at Chesterfield after two players required stitches to head wounds.

Midfielder Conall Murtagh was left cut and disoriented just 29 minutes into his Football League debut following a clash of heads with defender Janos Kovacs – an injury that required nine stitches – and defender Mike Williams also needed medical treatment as a result of a late clash.

Neither incident was punished by the Cambridgeshire official, who also ignored goalkeeper Barry Roche’s first-half collision with striker Neil Roberts in an off-the-ball incident.

“Neil Roberts was absolutely scythed down by the goalkeeper in the first half when he was going through and I’m now told that was just a collision,” said the Dragons manger.

“I don’t want to criticise referees because they have the hardest job in the world, but I didn’t think we got the rub of the green.

“I felt the challenge on Murtagh, although it was head to head, was bad. Their player came flying in from 10 yards and it was every bit as dangerous as someone going in with their elbow because there was no way he was going to win the ball.

“But he went in and our lad, who has been looking forward to his debut, is carried off and doesn’t quite know what his name is at the moment. On top of that Mike Williams has had to have stitches in his head so there were too many challenges like that.”

The Dragons boss, who confirmed that on-loan midfield man Sam Aiston will complete a permanent move from Northampton Town this week, is also keen to retain the services of Stoke’s Robbie Garrett, who returned to the Championship outfit following the completion of his five month-long loan period.

“We are still waiting to hear about Robbie Garrett,” added Little. “We have spoken to Stoke and we are waiting for them to come back to us.

“Sam will stay, that’s a certainty. I took him off at half time (on Tuesday) because, like Richard Hope, he’s played the last couple of games with a bit of an ankle problem and I just felt he wasn’t quite himself.”

But Little is playing his cards close to his chest in terms of other possible transfer movement.

“It’s not the easiest job in the world because you don’t get your choice of players at this time of the year,” he said.

“I’ve got to find people who are going to help us in some way but obviously the best time to change a team is at the end of a season.

“It’s going to be a test for me but I’m not going to run away from it. I’ve seen all the things I need to see and there are lots of other things I want to try to do to make the place different.”

Central defender Phil Bolland, surplus to requirements at Chester City, has been training with Wrexham for the past few weeks, but Little said he would not be rushed.

“We’re hoping to change one or two things but until that happens I can’t say too much,” he added.

“Phil has trained with us and is definitely an option, but I don’t want to rush into anything until we have checked out where all the money we have got can be used.

“I have to use it sensibly and I have to do the right thing. It’s very easy to bring a player in and I could do that tomorrow, but it’s got to be the right one.

“I don’t think people have to leave, but if someone wants one of mine and I can get someone else that changes us I might have to consider that.

“It’s a cruel game but my job now is to try and keep this club in the Football League and I will do whatever it takes to try and do that.”