SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown felt Carlisle not being awarded a second half penalty was the key moment in his side’s 2-0 triumph against the Cumbrians on Saturday.

Goals from Michael Timlin and Barry Corr saw the Shrimpers get back to winning ways after two successive defeats.

But Blues were fortunate not to give away a penalty before Corr’s second goal when goalkeeper Ted Smith appeared to make contact with Steven Rigg inside the box.

And Brown conceded referee Trevor Kettle waving play on was a turning point in the game.

“The key moment of the game was the penalty not being given,” said the 55-year-old.

“I initially thought Ted had touched the ball but then the ref gave a goal kick so obviously their lad got to it and went round the keeper.

“If Ted’s touched him then it’s a penalty but it not being given was a turning point in the game and a real learning curve for us too.

“We had just started to do what we did at Stevenage last weekend and looked as though we just wanted to protect a one goal lead but that changed when we nearly gave away the penalty.”

Carlisle boss Keith Curle was left fuming at the decision.

But Brown felt that the officials were not in the best position to be able to make an accurate call.

“Maybe Trevor was too far away from the decision and the linesman couldn’t give it because he was on the other side of the pitch,” said Brown.

“It was a tough one for the officials but if there’s doubt in the ref’s mind then he can’t give it and he said there was some doubt when I spoke to him about it at the end.

“But after that scare we went on to get the second goal and should really have got three or four.”

At the other end of the field, the Shrimpers stood strong to secure a clean sheet.

And that delighted Brown after his side had shipped in four goals at Stevenage in their previous outing.

“It was very pleasing to get the clean sheet,” said Brown.

“A lot of supporters get frustrated with clean sheet mentality but you should never do that.

“We didn’t have that last week and that’s why I made changes.

“It wasn’t a case of dropping individual players it was a case of dropping one mentality and bringing in another one to get that clean sheet.”