Captain Adam Barrett has slammed the decision of referee Andy Woolmer to send him off during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Carlisle United.

Barrett was handed his marching orders in the 67th minute after picking up his second yellow card of the afternoon.

And the Blues skipper was distraught with the decision, describing it a 'joke'.

"I felt the referee had a poor game and that every decision was going against us," Barrett told Blues Player after the match.

"I think it was a joke to send me off!

"The first yellow card was ridiculous, I just slid in and won the ball.

"I didn't go over the top or hurt anyone and then the second booking the ball has dropped in the box and I have gone to shoot and just as I did it was toed away and I caught the guys' leg.

"Now come on, if that is sending off it is an absolute joke.

"Unfortunately I am now going to miss a game and that just sums things up at the moment really."

Southend found themselves 2-0 down early on in the first half after Scott Dobie and Ben Marshall put the visitors ahead.

However, United battled back through Franck Moussa before Barrett levelled to make 2-2 with a powerful header.

"It was a poor start and I thought we were very nervy in the opening 20 minutes which was very disappointing," he said.

"We worked really hard to get back to 2-2 and at that point I thought there was only one team that was going to go on and win the game.

"In the second half the referee seemed to be giving Carlisle anything and everything and then with the sending off the boys did tremendously well to go on and get a point out of it.

"Everything that can go wrong at the moment is going wrong which is so frustrating.

"I was pleased to score but the main thing was that it got us back into the game at 2-2 and we were looking threatening especially at set pieces. I felt that if the delivery was right I could go and get another one.

"But we are now two games unbeaten and there is no reason why we can't go and get a result on Tuesday."

As a result of Barrett's red card he will miss Tuesday's clash at Roots Hall against Walsall.