BLUES boss Phil Brown hit out at referee Darren Handley following his side’s 2-2 draw at Coventry City on Monday night.

Brown was disappointed by the corner being awarded which led to the Sky Blues’ first goal at the Ricoh Arena.

And the Shrimpers chief also slammed the decision to give Coventry a second half penalty after Ryan Leonard was adjudged to have brought down Sam Ricketts.

“It was an absolutely horrendous decision from the referee to give a corner for their first goal,” said Brown.

“Daniel Bentley was more than half a yard away from the shot and it was never a penalty either.

“The assessor sitting up in the stand categorically said it wasn’t a penalty but the referee said it was.

“Maybe he tried to even it up after he had already given us a penalty and I’m worried about referees rewarding diving.

“It’s wrong and referees need to look at these things.”

Coventry midfielder Jim O’Brien saw his second half spot-kick well saved by Bentley.

But the Shrimpers, who led 2-1 at the break, were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after Ricketts headed home Jacob Murphy’s left wing corner 18 minutes from time.

And Brown felt Blues deserved to pick up at least a point.

“We deserved a point because of our endeavour, work rate and effort to get something from the game,” said Brown.

“At half-time I was disappointed to only be 2-1 up if I’m honest because we had some good chances.

“We stopped playing in the second half and started defending and the way Coventry played in the second half I think you have to say they were worthy of a point.

“But the bottom line is we should be killing teams off and seeing it out, not hanging on for a point.”