Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea: VAR brings cruel dose of reality to Championship side

He will have to adjust if Wrexham are to turn their play-off promise into a fourth successive promotion and arrange regular visits from their Premier League rivals.

But for now, manager Phil Parkinson could only be upset that officials refused to read the script.

Parkinson directed his anger more towards Dobson’s decision to foul Alejandro Garnacho, saying: “We cannot send off any player without VAR and this goal is definitely valid, so it is against us tonight.”

“This is my first experience and I know the rule is that there has to be a clear and obvious mistake for the decision to be changed – and I think the referee has to back up his judgment in real time, in the split second. He was in a great position to see that.”

It was one thing to be denied equal playing field when trying to close the gap in the Premier League, but it is another thing to be denied a penalty chance.

“You don’t want to see goals get overlooked like that, we’re talking inches,” pundit Micah Richards told Match of the Day.

Parkinson was more accepting of the decision, refusing to blame Brunt for the instinctive goal-line touch and suggesting Moore’s header would have hit the bar.

He was also adamant that his team’s bid to be in the Premier League would not be affected by this disappointment.

“I’ve said this before, but not to that many people,” Parkinson said, referring to the tripling of media attendance as the match was televised in 75 countries around the world, making Wrexham’s global admiration largely real.

“But I always want my team and their performances to reflect the city so people know what Wrexham is all about.

“We did that tonight and it’s very important.”