PHIL Parkinson condemned Huddersfield Town’s Abdelhamid Sabiri for a “leg breaking” challenge on David Wheater in Wanderers’ 2-1 FA Cup defeat at the Macron.

The Bolton defender was left with deep stud marks just above his ankle following a high challenge in the build up to Town’s second goal.

Sabiri did not receive any punishment from referee Roger East as David Wagner’s side eased into round four in a scrappy encounter.

Rajiv van la Parra put the Yorkshiremen ahead before Danny Williams’ deflected effort. Derik Osede then headed Bolton back into the game but despite putting pressure on the Huddersfield goal they could not force a replay.

The major talking point after the final whistle, however, was Sabri’s challenge on Wheater – which in Parkinson’s estimation should have warranted a red card for the Moroccan.

“You have to see the challenge on David Wheater to believe it,” he fumed. “It was a leg-breaking challenge in the middle of the pitch and the state of his leg in the dressing room bears that out.

“I just can’t believe the referee, standing five yards away, has not seen it. The lad has gone right over the top of the ball. We are very fortunate not to have a player with a very serious injury.

“It was a deflected goal which went in after that but we responded well, got one back, and all-in-all, considering the changes we had to make to the team, I thought it was a creditable performance from us.”

When asked of his view on the challenge, Huddersfield head coach David Wagner said Wheater had pulled Sabri’s shirt prior to the tackle.

"It was a foul on Sabiri,” he said. “He tried to reach the ball with a long leg. It was clear holding on Sabiri.

"I was more surprised we didn’t get a foul in the situation. If we speak about the challenge we speak about the situation half a second before which was a foul on Sabiri.”