SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has not given up hope of having both Harry Taylor and Gus Scott-Morriss available for Tuesday's match with Maidenhead United.

Taylor and Scott-Morriss were both sent off in the second half of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at York City.

But Blues have appealed against both red cards and Maher is hopeful they will be overturned.

“With Harry’s one in technical terms it’s normal football contact,” said Maher.

“The player hasn’t got control of the ball so it’s not an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“Hopefully they’ll do the right thing because that’s a crazy decision for him to make.

“Everyone in the ground thought 'what’s he doing?' and that’s usually a good way of telling’s people’s thoughts.”

Taylor was shown a straight red card by referee Paul Cooper after ushering striker Dipo Akinyemi off the ball following a long pass forward from Tyler Cordner.

And he was then joined in the dressing room by Gus Scott-Morriss who was sent off for foul and abusive language.

But the Shrimpers’ right wing-back was the victim of mistaken identity.

“For the second one he’s got the wrong person,” said Maher.

“We’ve said that to the powers that be and hopefully they take the right course of action now.”

If the appeal if unsuccessful, Taylor will serve a one match suspension while Scott-Morriss will miss the next two games.