Oxford United 2 Southend United 3 (old reports - catch up)

Phil Brown was given a rough ride by Oxford fans before being rescued by an Eastenders cabbie.

Southend boss Brown reacted to abuse given to him by the home support and was then sent to sit WITH them by referee Christopher Sarginson where the hostility continued until actor, comedian and Shrimpers fanatic Terry Alderton offered him a place in his box.

Alderton, 44, played Eastenders cab driver Terry Spraggan in the soap, but was on Southend's books as a youngster and was signed as emergency cover during a goalkeeping crisis by former manager Steve Tilson in 2004. He said:

"Phil got sent to the stands and he's sitting there like a naughty schoolboy surrounded by their fans, so I went all tribal and shouted 'come up here Phil'. 

"He was so blind with rage or panic, or just didn't know who I was, so I just waved my Southend hat so he could see I was friendly.

"It was funny just watching him for the last few minutes living every moment and kicking every ball as we clung on. Having him there was like watching Frank Bruno on the ropes just getting battered and you're thinking, 'hang on Frank, just hang on in there'.

"I follow them everywhere and it was exciting all round for me as a fan. Very dramatic and I half expected the Eastenders theme tune to kick in at the end.

"I've now got to go and do a charity gig in Oxford so maybe I'll get abuse as well!"

Former Hull chief Brown was furious with fourth official Gary Muge and revealed:

"He forced the referee's hand, but what happened was so, so wrong.

"I was sent up to the stand and I was as nervous as hell up there because I was getting abused again, it wasn't safe.

"It was bang out of order. The game's got it wrong when a supporter can give you abuse, if you're not allowed to at least respond to it. And I've not abused anybody.

"The fourth official was after me all game because I was six inches over the line in my technical area."

Brown's dismissal came shortly after substitute Barry Corr's 82nd minute winner. Striker Corr, 29, admitted:

"I scuffed it, but I'm happy with that. I've played here four times and scored four goals. I also get to go and see my kids who only live twenty minutes away. I normally only get to see them twice each week and it's a two and a half hour drive, so that will cap a perfect day."

Midfielder Callum O'Dowda gave Oxford the lead and David Worrall equalised before Southend midfielder Gary Deegan was dismissed by Sarginson after picking up a second booking in the 34th minute.

Rookie defender Sam Long put the Us ahead just before the break with his first senior goal, but Charlton loanee striker Joe Piggot levelled again two minutes into the second half.

Honest Oxford skipper Jake Wright called on Oxford's fans to blame him and not manager Michael Appleton for the defeat. Central defender Wright, 28, said:

"The manager's picking the right team, but if individuals like me make mistakes, there's not much he can do. I apologised to everyone at the end and owned up. I could've done better for all three goals and it's definitely ruined my weekend."

Appleton said:

"This is a real low point for me. Some of our senior players had a bad day today, but we've got to take responsibility as a unit and as a group."