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Bournemouth actually started the match brightly though and Wade Elliott nodded a Marcus Browning cross just over the bar after only four minutes before Steve Fletcher did well to hold off David McSweeney before dragging a 20 yard shot just wide of the far post.
Tony Scully broke away down the left wing following a McSweeney flick, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Neil Moss did well to smother the ball at the strikers feet before Steve Fletcher and elliott combined well for the Cherries in assisting James Heyter who poked the ball just over the top.
The last two chances of a terribly dull half then brought Southend's best efforts of the match, Scully testing Moss from 30 yards before Moss did well to push the ball wide of the post after Kebvin Maher and touched a free kick to Damon Searle.
With the first action of the second period however United were denied what was one of the most blatant penalties you're ever likely to witness. Jay Smith's neat through ball was picked up by Tes Bramble who sprinted into the penalty area before Cherries defender Stephen Purches wrapped his arms around Bramble and wrestled him to the floor. Referee Armstong seemed oblivious to the incident.
A good run by Steven Clark saw the pacey winger get to the goal line before knocked the ball back to Graeme Jones who slipped a shot just wide on 56 minutes before Danny Thomas drilled a 25 yatrd effort just past Darryl Flahavan's upright.
Bramble headed a Searle cross straight at Moss before an incredible incodent brought Bournemouth's winner on 71 minutes. As the ball rolled towards the corner flag the linesman on the East Stand touchline suddenly put his flag across his chest and signalled for a penalty. Even referee Armstrong was bafflred by the decision but having spoken to the linesman somehow stood by the spot kick decision. After a few minutes in which both the Southend and Bournemouth players tried to work out just what was going on both parties eventually realised that a penalty had been awarded to the away side. Garreth O'Connor had no problems in slotting a low spot kick into the bottom corner out of Flahavan's reach.
Amazingly that was the last action of the match. Despite playing at home, and despite heading towards their sixth home defeat of the season - and it's still only November - Soputhend didn't even try to get back into the match.
Quite rightly Southend's lazy players - who have mustered a pathetic seven goals in their ten home games - were booed off the pitch, and certainly not for the first time this season.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com