Powell on rampage over ‘goal’ ruled out
CHRIS Powell was left fuming at the officials following his Southend side’s defeat against Barnsley at Roots Hall.
Southend centre-back Michael Turner saw what would have been a late equaliser controversially ruled out for offside in the second round clash. And Powell felt the goal, which would have made it 3-3, should have stood.
“We should have got it to 3-3 and without a shadow of a doubt it’s a legitimate goal,” said Powell.
“I asked the officials why it was disallowed and they said the goalscorer was offside.
“That was the massive turning point and it’s the point in the game everyone will talk about.
“But Barnsley are a good side and this was always going to be a tough tie because they’re the best team we’ve played in the league so far this season.”
Before the late drama, Barnsley seemed to be cruising through to the third round after they broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Kieffer Moore headed home Alex Mowatt’s right wing corner from close range.
Southend equalised four minutes into stoppage time when Sam Mantom’s left wing corner was deflected into his own net by Moore.
But Barnsley regained the lead in the 56th minute when Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley fumbled a right wing corner from Mowatt and ex Southend loanee Cauley Woodrow was on hand to fire home the rebound from close range.
The Tykes then made it 3-1 20 minutes from time when Mike Bahre’s right wing cross was tapped home by Woodrow for his fifth goal in five games.
But Southend got back into the game in the 84th minute when Timothee Dieng headed home Stephen McLaughlin’s corner.
The Shrimpers then saw Turner’s volley controversially ruled out for offside before Barnsley wrapped up the win in stoppage time.
Bahre fired home after George Moncur’s effort had been pushed out by keeper Oxley.
But Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel felt his side were worthy winners.
“We had so many chances to score and we were the better team,” said Stendel.
“We should have made more than we did and we had chances in the second half, too.”