SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher was a frustrated figure following a painful 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh this afternoon.

A stoppage time free-kick from Spitfires substitute Danny Whitehall saw the Shrimpers return home empty handed despite having taken the lead through Callum Powell in the first half.

And Maher was disappointed Blues could not build on their bright start.

“We started the game ever so well and we were in complete control of it,” said Maher.

“We got our goal and they had to change shape to get back in the game.

“It became a bit more even then.

“Long balls were coming into the box from everywhere.

“They’re going to put it on you and we’ve got a young keeper (Collin Andeng Ndi) they targeted obviously but we needed a stronger referee to deal with it.”

Andeng Ndi was beaten by a quickly taken Whittaker free-kick from the half-way line for Eastleigh’s equaliser before the striker also netted with a set piece from just outside the penalty area five minutes into stoppage time.

And Maher was disappointed by aspects of both goals.

“The first goal came from a free-kick but we should’ve kept the ball,” said Maher.

“We had good control of the ball but we turned it over too cheaply.

“The free-kick is given and we switch off for a second but credit to the lad it’s a hell of a finish.”

However, Maher felt the second free-kick should have not have been given and criticised the performance of referee Gary Parsons.

“I’ve seen it back and it’s not a foul but that was going on all second half,” said Maher.

“We couldn’t buy a foul up our end.

“But he couldn’t wait to give the free-kick and the crowd’s reaction tells you that.

“He gave a cheap free-kick which he hadn’t given all game and it’s frustrating to say the least.

“In the first half Collin got clotheslined and nothing’s happened.

“He got one in the face down this end too and nothing happens.

“There wasn’t a yellow card in sight.”

But it was the result which hurt Maher most.

“It’s tough to take because we played ever so well during the period we were on top and we forced them to change,” said the Blues boss.

“You’ve got to weather periods but I thought we did that.

“With a bit more quality we would’ve picked them off and got another goal.

“Wes (Fonguck) has had one and right at the end it was a great ball in but unfortunately it’s just gone wide.”

Maher also tried to keep Blues on top by making a double change in the 57th minute which saw Oli Coker replacing Dan Mooney and Aaron Cosgrave coming on for Powell.

And Maher felt the alterations were needed to give his side an extra man in the middle. 

"I tried to get two up top to give us a platform to play off," said Maher.

"The likes of Moons and that will struggle once teams become more physical.

"I changed it because I wanted to get an extra body in midfield and get more control in the game with another up top too to get that platform to play off."

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Match report: Eastleigh 2, Southend United 1