SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson hit out at Leyton Orient's Sean Thornton after the midfielder's antics helped condemn the Shrimpers to an opening day defeat at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Tilson claimed the former Sunderland trainee had conned referee Barry Knight into sending off Blues midfielder Alan McCormack for a second bookable offence.

And the Seasiders chief insisted it was a decision which had cost his side the game as they went on to lose 2-1.

"Their lad (Thornton) was diving for 90 minutes and for me it was never a red card," fumed Tilson.

"We had a meeting with the Football Association before the season started and it was all about how diving was going to be stamped out the game but we didn't see that today.

"People should have been booked for what they were doing, it was embarrassing and that one incident has turned the whole game."

Before the red card, Southend seemed to be heading for a share of the spoils after taking the lead through a well-worked Mark Gower goal.

But they were end up empty-handed, much to the annoyance of Tilson.

"I thought we were quite comfortable but the red card changed the complex of the game," he said.

"We were by far the better team in the first half but it was always going to be hard to play with 10 men in that heat for more than half an hour and that's the way it proved."

The numerical advantage delighted visiting manager Martin Ling, a former Southend midfielder, and he also leapt to the defence of Thornton.

"Southend are calling Sean a cheat, but he isn't," Ling insisted.

"From my point of view both of McCormack's bookings were justified and that means it was a red card.

"It was a tackle which didn't need to be made in my opinion."

But Southend skipper Kevin Maher, who was right next to the incident, believes McCormack should have stayed on the pitch.

"It wasn't really even a foul," said the midfielder.

"Their lad's leg hit Macca rather than it being the other way ight decision.

"It was frustrating and made things hard and Thornton certainly seemed to be involved in everything.

"It obviously worked for him though because Orient won and maybe we need to start doing the same.

"It's hard because if it isn't in you it isn't in you but we might have to change."

In a further blow to Blues Maher is now doubtful for tomorrow's Carling Cup clash against Cheltenham Town with a reoccurrence of the foot injury he sustained towards the end of last season.

Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan (groin) and striker Matt Harrold (calf) may also miss out.