ACCRINGTON Stanley's home defeat to Southend was made worse by a stoppage time red card for Kevin McIntyre.

The left back was booked for two fouls on Anthony Grant - the first giving away an early penalty, the second trying ot prevent a late counter.

The fall-out from the incident spilled over off the pitch as the referee tried to calm down a melee as the players made their way to the dressing room.

It was an unsavoury way to end a frustrating afternoon for John Coleman's men.

Andy Procter scored the Reds' first goal of the season to send them in level at half-time, after Southend had taken a second-minute lead from the penalty spot.

The game was less than 30 seconds old when McIntyre was penalised for a push on Grant and Liam Dickinson stepped up to score his first goal for the Shrimpers, after sending goalkeeper Sean Murdoch the wrong way.

Southend had chances to double their lead as Stanley struggled to get out of their own half, but Murdoch saved from Ryan Hall, Dean Winnard blocked a Kane Ferdinand strike from the edge of the box while Grant fired narrowly wide across goal.

Accrington, who were unchanged for the third game in a row, found chances hard to come by, but looked to end the half strongly after equalising from a free kick five minutes before the break.

McIntyre drove a 22-yard free kick through the wall following a foul Craig Linfield, goalkeeper Glen Morris spilled it and Procter poked the loose ball home.

Charlie Barnett tested Morris again just before the break, but the Southend stopper made a cleaner save this time.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, but a defensive mix-up gifted Ryan Hall with the chance to score what proved to be the winner in the 67th minute.

Stanley pushed for another equaliser late on.

Procter went close again, but rattled the crossbar with a stoppage time chance.