WATERFALL DISMISSAL WAS 'DUE TO THE REF'

DARREN SARLL’S first home match as Hartlepool boss ended in a scrappy stalemate.

- Paul Fraser

Sarll cut an animated figure on the touchline during a second half when referee Paul Marsden continued to reach for his cards – that included a red for Pools skipper Luke Waterfall.

The experienced centre-back, cautioned for complaining about a throw-in late in the first half, was dismissed for a second caution after pulling back Southend’s Josh Walker near the halfway line four minutes after the restart. Even though that was the only sending-off in a game that included almost 20 minutes of cumulative (12 minutes in the first half) added time, there were seven yellow cards.

Joe Grey, Waterfall, Louis Stephenson and Anthony Mancini were cautioned for the hosts, with Cav Miley, Oli Coker and Joe Gubbins also penalised for the visitors.