SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has explained why Rob Kiernan was brought on when the Shrimpers were 3-0 down at Rotherham United on Saturday.

Centre-back Kiernan replaced winger Jermaine McGlashan in a substitution which was criticised by the Shrimpers supporters.

But Brown felt the change was necessary to stop his side suffering an even bigger defeat.

“It was damage limitation,” said the Blues boss.

“We couldn’t deal with the physicality of their strikers and we needed more height out there.

“It certainly wasn’t an indication of how Jermaine was playing we just needed more inches out on the pitch.”