Tilson: 'To concede in the last 15 seconds is absolutely devastating'
Blues boss Steve Tilson was understandably hurt by the Norwich City winner that came deep into stoppage time after Scott Vernon at given the Shrimpers a half-time lead.
Tilly spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk: "I'm devastated and it was gut wrenching to concede when we did at the end. The lads gave everything tonight and we deserved at least a point. We had chances at the death ourselves to score and I really feel for the players and the fans as it was bitterly cold and raining all night. We have come to a team top of the table and to concede in the last 15 seconds is absolutely devastating."
The problem for the Southend manager is how to lift his teams spirits for the Friday evening match at Roots Hall with promotion contenders Charlton, who lost 2-1 at home to Brighton last night, and hope bruised and tired bodies are able to cope with their third match in six days.
Tilly continued: "We made life difficult for Norwich and our attitude, desire and commitment were all there. It is going to be difficult to pick the players up for Friday's game against Charlton, but there were lots of positives to take from the game. Let's be honest, Norwich didn't create too many chances themselves, it was a good effort, but we just fell short in the dying seconds."
Lambert: 'I thought we deserved it'
Naturally chief Canary Paul Lambert couldn't have been happier with the way Norwich came back to secure the points.
Lambert told www.edp24.co.uk: "It means a lot to everybody at the football club, and scoring a late goal it was terrific. What we have is a great spirit, the lads have driven it on and the crowd are playing their part. The atmosphere was absolutely sensational tonight. You are only frustrated because you have that much of the ball. It is easy to be destructive rather than constructive and you have just got to hope somebody has a bit of magic or you get a break or something, and yes, we got the breaks. But I have been involved in a million games with teams going right to the death and getting a winner. I thought we deserved it."
The ex-head Farmer paid tribute to substitute Oli Johnson whose appearance turned the game and was playing with ninth tier team Nostell Miners Welfare only a couple of years ago.
The Norwich manager explained: "You have got to remember the same lads have gone week in, week out for weeks on end and then when you change it you have got to hope you get a reaction from the lads that come in and they did so. Oli, being a young lad, has come on, and given us that impetus to go again. He is unpredictable. He has got great feet - people don't realise he has got great feet to get away from people and I thought his header was absolutely top drawer."