JASON Demetriou’s first half penalty secured Southend United a 1-1 draw at Plymouth Argyle this afternoon.

The right-back’s spot-kick cancelled out an earlier penalty from Argyle’s Graham Carey to secure a share of the spoils in a game which saw both managers red carded.

Blues boss Chris Powell and his opposite number Derek Adams were both red carded by referee John Busby after a slight fracas on the side-lines during a frantic first 45 minutes.

But managers eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils as the Shrimpers picked up their first point of the season.

The Shrimpers again began the game brightly and thought they had taken an early lead when Tom Hopper bundled the ball home from close range after Argyle goalkeeper Matt Macey had fumbled a long range shot from Stephen McLaughlin, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

Moments later, Timothee Dieng’s header from McLaughlin’s left wing corner was deflected wide from a promising position as the Shrimpers continued to dominate the opening exchanges.

However, Blues could not make their pressure tell and in the 20th minute the Pilgrims took the lead courtesy of a hugely contentious penalty.

Ryan Taylor’s initial header was parried out by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley but, while attempting to reach the rebound, Argyle’s Tafari Moore went to ground having brushed against McLaughlin and, on the advice of his assistant, referee John Busby pointed to the spot.

Argyle’s Carey – who missed a spot-kick against the Shrimpers last season made the most of the opportunity as he fired the penalty into the top left hand corner of the net.

But the aggrieved Shrimpers soon almost equalised with Hopper having a 20 yard shot tipped of the right post by Macey before Sam Mantom also had a well struck shot diverted wide of the target by the custodian.

However, with 38 minutes on the clock, Blues deservedly drew back level with a penalty kick of their own.

Busby pointed to the spot after Dieng had been dragged to the floor by Ryan Taylor and Demetriou made no mistake from 12 yards as he cooly sent his effort slightly into the left hand side of the net.

But the drama soon continued with Busby again taking centre stage as he sent off Blues boss Powell and Plymouth chief Adams after the pair had scuffled on the side-lines.

Powell watched the second half from the stands and soon saw Simon Cox fire over a driven left wing cross from Ben Coker.

The Shrimpers striker soon sent another effort over the crossbar after John White had flicked on McLaughlin’s left wing corner before he made way for Michael Klass in the 81st minute.

The change handed Klass his Football League debut before Blues made a second alteration just five minutes later with Theo Robinson replacing Michael Kightly.

After the substitutions, Klass fired wide of the left post from 20 yards before Robinson also shot wide of the target in the dying seconds.