SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley refused to blame controversial refereeing decisions for the Shrimpers’ defeat to Harrogate Town.

Molesley was cautioned by referee Anthony Coggins for his protests following Harrogate’s third goal at Roots Hall.

But the 39-year-old admitted Blues only had themselves to blame, despite not agreeing the officials’ decisions.

“The referee has apologised to me really,” said Molesley.

“The fourth one is about how you interpret the rules as the striker is in the box and he’s tackled our defender.

“But the third one our centre-half has a serious head injury and he’s lying down for a good 30 seconds and the ball hasn’t stopped.

“Two of the goals were avoidable but at the same time it was men against boys.

“We learnt lessons and got unfairly scrutinised for a couple of goals as well but we have no one to blame but ourselves.

“We’ve come up short today and there’s no hiding that.

“ It didn’t have to be as harsh as it was with a couple of the goals and I’m convinced we got harshly treated on two of the goals but I still don’t think we did enough to win the game.”