Southend United manager Phil Brown was sent to the stands and watched as his side earned a point during his return to Bolton Wanderers.
Harry Kyprianou scored three minutes into his League début for the Shrimpers, before Keshi Anderson brought the Trotters level on 48 minutes.
A right-wing cross found the full-back who quickly fired a shot into the roof of the net, giving the visitors the perfect start at the Macron Stadium.
The hosts levelled the scoreline three minutes after half-time, with Anderson bundling the ball past Ted Smith from a floating cross.
The Blues continued to fight-on for an equaliser but, despite having numerous penalty claims waved away, they were unable to get the decisive goal.
Things took a turn for the worse as Blues boss Brown was dismissed. The Essex side began a counter-attack, however it was ended as Ryan Leonard was brought down in dramatic fashion. Brown was left infuriated by referee Sebastian Stocksbridge’s decision to not award a foul and was told to leave the dug-out after conversation with the fourth-official.
Speaking after the match, Phil Brown failed to hide his anger with the officials and their lack of consistency throughout the match by. “Phil Parkinson absolutely abused the ref at half-time. If that was me I wouldn’t have been able to come out for the second half.”
“I was sent off because the fourth official said he heard something. It’s one rule for one and another one for someone else.”
“I was getting slaughtered by the fourth official for being outside the box. Their bench weren’t outside the box more than us.”
“It’s just embarrassing it’s not a level playing field.”
