Steve Tilson admitted that Southend United deserved to get a lot more out of the game, after suffering an agonising last minute defeat at Bristol Rovers.

The Blues made a fantastic start and throughout the match created plenty of chances to trouble their opponents, leading Tilson to acknowledge that he thought they were the better team on the day.

In the end though, it was a cruel sucker punch that saw Southend lose 4-3 and Tilson felt for his players after the performance they had produced, especially having ended the game with 10 men.

"We deserved a lot more than what we got," Steve told Blues Player.

"We created more chances than they did and for me, we were the better side,

"To lose in the last minute was a massive blow for myself and especially the players, as they gave everything today.

"Over the 90 minutes, I thought that we played ever so well and there were loads of positives.

"We made a fantastic start to go two-up and if we had just got to half time with that scoreline it may have made a difference.

"Instead, we have conceded two goals in the first half and defensively we may have done better.

"Having said that, I don't think it should have been a penalty for them. Simon Francis hasn't touched their player, so I was really disappointed with that decision because I think it was the turning point.

"In the second half when we went behind, the lads fought back and when we were down to 10 men, we looked the only side who were going to win.

"It was a silly thing for Franck to do to get himself sent off. I haven't seen it, but it looks like he has kicked out at their player and if he has done, then it is right that he has been sent off.

"We looked a threat for 90 minutes, but in conceding the late goal, unfortunately that's the way it has been for us this season."