SOUTHEND United’s assistant manager Dave Penney felt hard done by after his side’s 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Barry Corr’s header secured the Shrimpers a share of the spoils and a place in the end of season play-offs.

But Penney felt Blues could have clinched all three points if a couple of contentious refereeing decisions had not gone against them.

“We were disappointed with the goal we conceded because we didn’t think the free-kick should have been given,” said Penney.

“We also think we should have had a penalty in the second half when Ben Coker seemed to be brought down.

“He’s through on goal so why would he go down if hadn’t been touched.

“The referee was only about 10 yards away from it but was looking back towards the fourth official for help.

“We obviously thought it was a penalty and Fleetwood probably think it wasn’t.

“But Barry Corr had a good opportunity too and maybe that was the best chance for us to get the three points.”

However, Corr had earlier worked his way on to the score-sheet with a powerful header from Ben Coker’s right wing corner.

And Penney was delighted with the manner of the goal and how Blues reacted to going a goal behind.

“It was good to score from a set piece because we don’t score enough from them and it’s something we work hard on,” said Penney.

“It was also pleasing how we fought back and you could see the side now has some underbelly which maybe we lacked earlier on in the season.

“But I thought it was an entertaining game and we certainly deserved at least a point from it.”

The draw pushed Southend down to seventh in the League Two table.

Yet, with a play-off place secured, Penney is not too concerned where the Shrimpers end up finishing.

“It doesn’t really matter where we end up and if it’s fifth, sixth or seventh we will take whatever comes our way,” said Penney.

“There’s still one league game to go so all we’re thinking about at the moment is playing Burton.

“But there could still be some movement among the play-off places on that last day.”