SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was left pointing the finger at referee John Brooks following the Shrimpers’ 2-2 draw with Northampton Town on Saturday.

The share of the spoils moved Blues back into the play-off positions.

But Brown was frustrated not to have secured back to back victories and did not agree with the decision which ultimately led to the Cobblers netting their second equaliser of the afternoon.

“The referee must have been the only person in the stadium who saw a foul for the free-kick Northampton scored from,” said Brown.

“I honestly have no idea why it was given.

“But if we are going to do anything this season then we are just going to have to climb the mountain ourselves.

“Nobody else will help us, especially the referees it seems as I’m bemoaning a key decision that’s gone against us again and has cost us two points.”

Matt Taylor curled the controversial free-kick against the left post before John-Joe O’Toole bundled home the rebound.

But Brown felt Blues had enough opportunities to have bounced back from Northampton’s second equaliser.

“The opportunities were there for us to win the game but we didn’t take them and the lads are all disappointed in there,” said Brown.

“However, if you had offered me 50 points by mid-February 12 games into the season I would have grabbed it with both hands, feet, mouth and everything else!”

The Shrimpers will now be looking to add more points to their tally at Peterborough United tomorrow.

But Brown is not yet sure if captain Anton Ferdinand will be able to feature after suffering a calf injury on Saturday.

“We don’t know how bad it is yet but hopefully Anton has come off in time to stop it being too serious,” added Brown.