SOUTHEND United look set to appeal against the soft red card shown to striker Barry Corr during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hartlepool.

The Irishman was dismissed on the stroke of half-time after an innocuous clash with Pools defender Jack Baldwin.

And boss Phil Brown believes Blues will try to get the decision overturned.

“I’ve seen it again on the DVD and it’s very, very soft indeed,” said Brown.

“We will go through it all today and see what the chief executive and chairman think.

“But I would say it’s very likely we will appeal and we will be going through the processes involved today.”

Despite labelling the red card as harsh, Brown did not point the finger of blame towards referee Mark Brown.

“I’m not going to criticise the ref too heavily because I don’t think it was his decision, it was his assistant,” said Brown.

“He’s obviously seen something and both assistants actually told him it was a red card.

“But Barry’s adamant he’s not really done much and Graham Coughlan swears he hasn’t done enough to be sent off.

“I think it may have been an overspill from the fracas just in front of us.

“There were a couple of yellows from that and maybe sometimes referee get the rid mist too which resulted in Barry going off.”

If Blues fail to get the decision overturned then Corr will miss the next three matches – against Northampton Town, Chesterfield and Wycombe Wanderers. But they were still able to win at Hartlepool, despite playing the whole second half with 10 men.

And that delighted Brown whose team have now won their opening two league games of the season.

“We put a marker down with how we played and the style of our football too,” said the Blues chief.

“There was work-rate, commitment and togetherness – all of the things managers want.

“There was a lot of team spirit too and it was magnificent in terms of performance, resilience and the result.”

The victory also delighted Southend’s travelling 215 fans and Brown was happy to have given them something to cheer.

“It was brilliant for the fans as well that we could win,” said Brown.

“Coming as far as Hartlepool is a true testimony of a fan and it was great to see them celebrating at the end.”