Chris Powell admitted he was relieved at the final whistle as his ten-man Southend United side left The Valley with a point on Saturday.

The former Charlton boss felt the red card to Dru Yearwood on 30 minutes was a turning point in the game but believes it was the correct decision.

Referee Simon Hooper had no hesitation in giving the Shrimper his marching orders for a lunge on Charlton’s Jonny Williams and Powell agreed with the man in the middle.

“It’s a sending off,” said Powell.

“He did slip, but it looks bad.

“He’s out of control, it didn’t look great so you take what the referee decides.

“What I will say is there are two similar tackles on our players that could’ve been red.

“But if he feels theirs is a yellow and not a red you’ve got to accept that.”

READ: Bowyer slams wide men in Southend draw

The draw was only Southend’s third of the season and edged them towards safety, whilst the result felt like ‘two points dropped’ for Lee Bowyer’s Charlton who remain fifth.

Ben Reeves goal on the hour cancelled out Stephen Humphrys first half deflected opener before the Shrimpers showed their resilience in keeping the Addicks to just the one goal for over an hour.

Powell who served as a player and manager at The Valley admitted he felt relieved at full time and that sometimes his side need to ‘learn the value of a point.’

“I’m alright now the game is done and we’ve got something” he said.

“I’m happy, we’ve had a rollercoaster of a season and today’s performance showed me we have enough to pick up points at tough places because I know how tough it is here with such good players.”

READ: Charlton Athletic 1 Southend United 1- Player ratings