KING’S Lynn boss Tommy Widdrington suffered late disappointment on his return to Southend United.

A last gasp penalty from Sam Dalby saw King’s Lynn suffer a 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall.

But Widdrington did not agree with the decision to award the spot-kick or his subsequent red card.

"If I’m going to get sent off for flicking a gel packet at the fourth official there’s something gone blatantly wrong with the game,” said Widdrington.

“He said to the ref I had thrown something at him but what I threw at him was the gel packet he was supposed to pick up off the pitch which the Southend lad had left on there.

“If he puts that in and says that I will show you guys it the next time I have a press conference because that it ridiculous.

“I was frustrated because I thought it was the wrong decision.

“The fourth official’s job I understand is very difficult.

“He has me in one ear and Kev in the other at different times of the game.

“But his job is to appease us and if he doesn’t want to then he doesn’t have to talk to us.

“What he doesn’t do is come back at you and make you argumentative towards him, that’s what he did.”

The defeat kept King’s Lynn second from bottom in the table, 13 points from safety.

But Widdrington, who was assistant manager at Blues back in 2010, would welcome an apology from the officials following the contentious penalty decision.

"When I managed previously at any level and a decision like that happened I’ve always had a referee ring me up and ask my thoughts,” said Widdrington.

“If I’ve been wrong I’ve apologised but I’ve also had them say sorry.

“It doesn’t help us but there’s a crumb of decency there.

“I’m delighted Sam (Dalby) has said it wasn’t a penalty and he was the one getting tackled.

“It’s a crumb of decency I’m after, a ‘sorry I got it wrong’.

“We can wipe it away then but I never have problems with good referees.”

But, up until Dalby’s late winner, Widdrington felt the game could have gone either way.

“Either team could’ve nicked it and both goalkeepers had decent games,” said Widdrington.

“I thought it was a great atmosphere and a great game .

“But the frustrating thing for me is that the game has been decided by people who shouldn’t be doing that.

“It should be decided by the ability on the pitch.”

King’s Lynn have now been beaten 11 times in their last 12 league games.

But Widdrington wants his side to follow in Blues’ foot-steps by turning things round.

“Their fortunes have changed so I don’t see why ours won’t,” said Widdrington, who is based in Southend.

“Kev (Maher) is a fantastic football man and they have people here who know what they’re doing.”