SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher slammed referee Aaron Bannister following the Shrimpers’ controversial 0-0 draw with high-flying Wrexham at Roots Hall.

Jake Hyde appeared to have given Southend the lead midway through the second half.

But, having originally given the goal, Bannister disallowed the effort after consulting with his assistant on the far side.

And that left Maher fuming at the final whistle.

“It's disgraceful,” said Maher.

“In the first half you get an inkling when everything is going one way.

“They’re claiming for handball I think but when I spoke to the fourth official after I’d calmed down he said it was given for offside.

“If it was offside put your flag up but he hasn’t done that at any stage.

“He’s waited for them to surround him and changed his mind.

“It’s scandalous really.

“I try my best not to speak about referees but they dictate games and they’re not good enough.”

And it was not just the disallowed goal which frustrated Maher.

"You watch it back and Marcus Dackers was through down the left hand side before being pulled back and I just have no idea what they are seeing," said Maher.

"He's given a handball against Noor, there's another one with Gus right in front of the linesman and he's pulling Collin up twice for having the ball two centimetres from where he thinks it should be.

"Come on, get the big ones right. That's all that matters."

READ MORE

>Match report from Blues' controversial draw with Wrexham 

>Jake Hyde stunned by disallowed goal