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Kennedy escapes penalty call

Image: Phil Brown: Fuming at officials

Tom Kennedy claimed it was "50-50" whether his challenge on David Worrall should have been a penalty in Bury's 1-1 draw at Southend.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown was fuming at referee Darren Drysdale for not pointing to the spot, but Kennedy felt it was not a straight-forward decision. "I would say it was 50-50 whether or not it was a penalty," said the on-loan Kennedy, who was playing his first game back at the club where he began his career. "I was actually talking to Waz (Worrall) on the pitch and explained that I had just leant on him. "He's chosen to go down which he's perfectly entitled to do and I would say six times out of 10 they're probably given. "Sometimes they are penalties and sometimes they're not but I can fully understand why their fans were unhappy it wasn't given." Bury boss David Flitcroft missed the incident having gone back to the dressing room to use the toilet. But Southend manager Phil Brown was adamant a penalty should have been given. "The referee has got it wrong and it's an absolute stonewall penalty," said Brown, whose side have not won since September. "I just can not for the life of it see how he hasn't given it. Their lad is in trouble, he's the wrong side of David Worrall who has a free shot at goal so why would he fall flat on his face. It just beggars belief. "I also think we did enough to win the game but we're just not getting the luck at the moment. "The penalty decision sums that up for me and, although we haven't got a victory in five games, I think we should have won three of them." Bury wasted a great chance to go in front when a bad header from Shrimpers skipper John White sent Courtney Duffus clean through on goal. However, Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley did well to push the ball to safety when the striker attempted to go past him. The Shrimpers soon hit back and opened the scoring when Michael Timlin's left-wing free-kick was teed up by Barry Corr who then smashed a volley in to the roof of the net from close range. Southend seemed to sit back on their lead in the second half and that resulted in Bury equalising in the 71st minute when substitute Craig Jones headed home a deep, left-wing cross from Danny Mayor. That frustrated the Shrimpers and, just moments later, so too did referee Darren Drysdale when he waved play on after Kennedy appeared to bring down Worrall inside the penalty area. The share of the spoils also left Southend without a win in five games. Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts

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