Walsall FC’s Walker left seething with Dons’ penalty
Saturday 26th March 2011, 11:29AM GMT.
Jimmy Walker has accused former team-mate Luke Chadwick of “buying” the penalty which denied Walsall a crucial win at MK Dons.
The Saddlers drew 1-1 at stadium:mk last night to miss the chance to climb out of the League One drop zone.
Manny Smith appeared to trip Chadwick in the second half to allow Peter Leven to cheekily cancel out Matt Richards’ opener.
But Walker, who was booked for protesting, insists ex-West Ham colleague Chadwick fooled referee Dave Phillips and that Smith won the ball.
“He bought the penalty,” said the stopper. “I played with Chaddy for a few years and he’s a good player.
“He got in there and he was only going one way to be honest, he’s probably bought the penalty a little and the referee’s given it.
“I said to the referee at the end ‘how did I get booked for that?’ I asked a question.
“I said I don’t know how you can give a penalty when the ball is by the advertising hoardings before Chaddy has even gone down.”
Leven chipped the ball down the centre as Walker dived left and the 37-year-old revealed his frustration.
He said: “I was distraught, it was horrible. He’s got a great left foot and I thought with the run up he had he was going to whip it.
“But he didn’t catch it right and it teased me enough to think I could get back up.”
The draw kept the Saddlers fourth-bottom and they now have to wait two weeks before returning to action at Plymouth.
But Walker insisted it was a good point in their battle against the drop.
“It was a great rearguard action from the lads. We’re a little disappointed not to come away with all three but it’s a massive point for us,” he said.
“We would have settled for a point before the game but a performance like that can only add to the team spirit we’ve got.”
UK Sport
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