SOUTHEND United full-back Jason Demetriou was left feeling hard done by following the Shrimpers’ 4-0 defeat at Northampton Town.

The Cypriot international felt he did not deserve to be sent off for a professional foul five minutes into the second half at the Sixfields Stadium.

And he also felt the final score-line was not a fair reflection of the game.

“I don’t think the score-line reflected how we did,” said the 28-year-old.

“I felt as though we dominated the first half but I’ve held my hands up for the second goal and Ox (Mark Oxley) has done the same for the first.

“We haven’t meant to do it but we’ve killed the team within the first five minutes of the second half.

“However, I did think it was a poor decision to send me off.”

Demetriou was red carded by referee Ross Joyce in the 50th minute after he was adjudged to have brought down Paul Anderson when the winger was attempting to reach a deep right wing cross.

But the defender was disappointed to be dismissed.

“It was quite harsh, especially with this new rule which is supposed to give players the benefit of the doubt,” said Demetriou.

“I haven’t taken him out, I’ve just turned and he’s cut across me.

“It’s good movement from him and while I know I should obviously have been in a better position there wasn’t much I could do because he’s clipped my leg and gone down.”

Demetriou will now miss tomorrow night’s match against Oxford United with a one match ban.

But the summer signing revealed he was dismissed on the advice of the assistant referee.

“It wasn’t even the referee who made the decision, he was asking the linesman who was 30 or 40 foot away which I felt was quite poor,” said Demetriou.

“I was hoping it was going to be a yellow card so I could stay on and help the lads so it was tough to take.”

Blues conceded three times after Demetriou’s dismissal to suffer a convincing defeat.

But the defender is keen to remain upbeat.

“We have to take the positives from this and we want another week of good intensity in training now,” said Demetriou.

“We need to go again and the belief is still there.

“We have some great players in a good squad and we’re all together with the management so I know we’re going to be alright.

“And there’s no real panic because we know what we can do.”