Steve Tilson was delighted with the players "massive effort" to earn a point against Carlisle United, but left more frustrated by the decision to send Adam Barrett off.

After going two goals behind, Southend showed the commitment needed to get back into the game and draw level, which left Tilson to admit that he couldn't fault their commitment and work rate.

But the controversial sending off of captain Barrett left the Blues to play out the match with just 10 men and despite comfortably holding their own, Tilson was left disappointed by this decision.

"I'm disappointed we conceded two goals in the way we did today, but it was a great response to get back into the game," Steve told Blues Player.

"We kept going, so credit to us to get back and I then thought we could go on and win it.

"Unfortunately, Adam has been sent off and I thought it was a poor decision.

"He has tried to have a shot and misses the ball and catches their player's leg and gets shown his second yellow card and sent off.

"For his first booking, he won the ball from his tackle and for me it was a poor decision.

"Fair play to the lads, with 10 men we still had a couple of chances and with everything that is going on, it was a massive effort.

"You just cannot fault the player's effort and there is no magic wand, because we can't make too many changes from our bench.

"I thought the player's effort was tremendous and while it is possible, we have to keep going out there and giving it a go, believing we can do it.

"For the back end of the first half and the second half, the belief was still there that we can do it, with the commitment and desire shown.

"We have to keep working hard and the results will come.

"We have to look at the positives and it's two games unbeaten for us before we play Walsall at home on Tuesday night."