Thursday 26 December 2013 19:36, UK
Southend boss Phil Brown felt that AFC Wimbledon were unlucky to have George Francomb sent off in the 1-0 win at Kingsmeadow.
Francomb was shown a straight red by referee Graham Scott just before half-time for a late tackle on Robert Kiernan. Substitute Cauley Woodrow, on loan from Fulham, went on to head home John White's pin-point cross in the 76th minute for the only goal of the game. It was Southend's first victory in four league matches but boss Brown could not help but feel for opposite number Neal Ardley. "The sending off was a little bit of injustice, to be fair. I don't think it was a red card, it could have possibly been a yellow," said Brown. "The referee has been backed into a corner by his assistant. I think it was the assistant who gave it as a red, but I will take that kind of luck. "It has happened against us many times and it will happen for us between now and the end of the season. "Patience was the key, no doubt about it. We had to be patient in the second half. I said to the players at half-time that it may not be the first 11 that wins the game, it may be the three subs. "And low and behold it worked out that way. It is a magnificent goal from Woodrow. "It was a quality ball in and he attacked the ball like a good striker should do. He finished it off brilliantly."