Shrinking Shrimpers leave Phil seething

SOUTHEND boss Phil Brown accused his players of showing Yeovil a lack of respect as the Glovers pulled off an FA Cup upset against their higher-division opponents.

The home side were completely dominant in the first half and deservedly led at the break through Otis Khan’s penalty.

And although Southend improved in the second period, Yeovil comfortably held on to go through to the second round draw.

Brown was visibly angry with his team and said: “The first half set the tone. They looked like they wanted it more than us and we made it hard for ourselves.

“I got into them at halftime and we raised the level of performance in the second half but it wasn’t enough to win a cuptie.

“I think we didn’t show Yeovil enough respect. I did, but the players didn’t. It looked like they thought they could just stroll through the game.

“We were better after the break but we aren’t good enough to suddenly start playing halfway through and expect to win the game.”

Yeovil made it backto-back home wins, with the club which made its name as a nonleague giant killer causing another cup upset.

Manager Darren Way was a player for some of those cup shocks and said: “I made sure the players were aware of the traditions of this club and they gave me a worthy performance.

“We wanted to prove that we could compete against a League One team and once our players got on to the pitch, they showed that they could.

“They showed character, desire, commitment and fight, and also had the quality needed to beat a team from a higher level.

“This club has great history as giantkillers and we’ve added to that reputation. I love being the underdog and we are always prepared to battle against the odds.”

After Anthony Wordsworth and Simon Cox both came close from distance for Southend, Yeovil went ahead on 29 minutes.

Sam Surridge was tripped in the penalty area by Ryan Leonard and Khan calmly and confidently converted the spot-kick.

After the break, Jake Gray came close to a second for Yeovil when he shot narrowly wide but Southend created the better chances.

Tom James twice had to clear off the line to deny United sub Stephen McLaughlin while the visitors also had a goal ruled out for a foul on Yeovil keeper Artur Krysiak during a goalmouth scramble.