Steve Tilson fumes at referee after Yeovil Town defeat (From Echo)

Steve Tilson fumes at referee after Yeovil Town defeat

10:11pm Saturday 14th November 2009

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SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson was left fuming at referee Dave Phillips following his side’s 1-0 defeat at Yeovil Town this afternoon.

The Blues boss was furious that Phillips opted to send off his new loan signing Sean Morrison during the first half.

And he also felt that the Glovers’ winning goal should not have been allowed.

“Again the officials have cost us the game,” said Tilson.

“I haven’t seen the incident again on the DVD yet but I thought Adam Barrett was covering Sean so it’s not a professional foul and should not have been a red card.

“Then I thought the free-kick which led to their goal shouldn’t have been given and, on top of that, their player has handled it into the net.

“That’s three dubious decisions and they’ve all gone against us.”

The first of verdicts saw Morrison being dismissed to make it a nightmare debut for the 18-year-old.

The centre-back only finalised his monthlong loan switch from Swindon Town on the morning of the match.

And he was as shocked as anyone when he saw the red card.

“The referee has told him four times that it was going to be a yellow card and has then showed him a red,” said Tilson, 43.

“There were some very strange decisions from the linesman too and it really has cost us.

“I thought Yeovil were running out of ideas during the second half and that we had done enough to get a point.”

The defeat meant the Shrimpers slipped to 13th in the League One standings and they have again been left with just two fit defenders unless Johnny Herd can quickly recover from his hamstring strain.

Tilson, along with skipper Adam Barrett and striker Dougie Freedman, protested to the match officials on the pitch for two minutes after the final whistle.

Paul Brush also expressed his views after the trio had departed but Blues will not be appealing against the decision to dismiss Morrison.

“Referee’s very rarely change their minds so there’s no point in doing that,” said Tilson.

“The lads dug in though and were great. I certainly can’t fault them for effort “Steve Mildenhall made some fantastic saves and I really can’t fault the lads because they gave me everything.

“It’s a real sickener to lose like we did but have to soldier on and be ready for the game against MK Dons on Friday, which will be another tough test.”

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