SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson hit out at referee David Foster following last night's defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Blues boss believed the home side's second goal should have been ruled out for offside.

And he also slammed the decision to send off striker Leon Clarke after he clashed with Luke Chambers midway through the second half.

"I thought we were outnumbered right from the very start and it was embarrassing," said Tilson.

"We didn't get a decision from the ref or his assistants all night. It's cost us in the end because the second goal was offside and it was never a red card either.

"Chambers has made a right meal out of nothing and it's disappointing to see him trying to get Leon sent off.

"But the ref seemed to freeze on the big occasion just like the one did the other day when Orient went to Leeds."

Blues had earlier seemed set to pick up at least a point when Mark Gower handed them an early effort with an excellent effort.

But Tilson tried to remain upbeat.

"There were some positive aspects to our play," he said.

"Until they scored I thought we looked comfortable and other results have gone our way so we're still in a good position in the play-offs.

"We should never have lost this 4-1 and now we need to bounce back in the right way when we play Cheltenham in our next league game."

Blues will be missing both Nicky Bailey and Clarke through suspension that afternoon and that is an added frustration for Tilson.

"We're losing key players," said the long-serving Blues manager.

"It doesn't help and we are short of numbers at the moment. We have to keep on battling and we won't be facing any games tougher than Forest away at this level.

"With the money they have they're going for automatic promotion and rightly so."

SHRIMPERS skipper Kevin Maher took his place on the bench last night, despite suffering from illness.

"Kev had been struggling," confirmed Tilson.

"I wanted to leave him altogether but being the kind of character he is he wanted to be involved."