ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill joked if referee Rob Lewis had been a meal he would not have paid following his side’s 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall.

The setback ended Dale’s run of six successive victories.

But Hill was furious Blues’ first goal was allowed to stand after insisting Keith Keane was fouled in the build up by Jermaine McGlashan.

“We’ve had goals this season when we’ve benefited from the referee’s decision and Southend have definitely got the benefit of one here,” said Hill.

“Their player 100 per cent stands on the back of Keith Keane’s heel as he’s trying to play the ball back and unfortunately the referee hasn’t seen it.

“He got a bit better in the second half but if the referee’s performance was a meal out I wouldn’t paying.

“That sums up the standard of his refereeing in the first half and he made it easier for the opposition as the crowd got on his side.”

But Hill did seem to agree with the dismissal of Keane after he brought down Marc-Antoine Fortune when the Frenchman was clean through on goal.

“I’m OK with the sending off because he’s the last man,” said Hill.

“Whether or not he’s going to deny a goalscoring opportunity is open to debate but we came back well and with the chances we had we should have been 3-1 up before they scored at the end.”