Southend: Phil Brown blasts referee after Gillingham defeat

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Southend United manager Phil Brown has hit-out at the referee who oversaw his side lose 2-1 at Gillingham on Saturday, saying he should be ‘brought to task’.

After the game at Priestfield on Saturday, Brown blasted referee Dean Whitestone for a number of “really poor” decisions that included awarding Gills a penalty and sending off Shrimpers defender Ryan Inniss.

The penalty, given four minutes before half-time, was confidently tucked home by Josh Wright and sent the Kent club on their way to an important win while denting Southend’s play-off push.

Brown was fuming after the match and said: “There were four or five decisions that says that referee shouldn’t be refereeing at this level.

“The referee mentioned to me that it was a derby game and he’d heard about the potential friction – but you can’t take that into consideration.

“He initially crossed his arms about to wave away the penalty but the next movement he blows for a foul. That, for me, is a referee under pressure.”

“The sending off is even worse – unbelievable refereeing. This was officiating at its worst and someone has to be brought to task.

“I’m appealing the red card and if I can take it further than that I will.”