COLCHESTER United skipper Karl Duguid has reacted strongly to the accusation made by his Southend counterpart, Kevin Maher, who labelled him “a cheat” following a bad-tempered Essex derby on Saturday.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United skipper Karl Duguid has reacted strongly to the accusation made by his Southend counterpart, Kevin Maher, who labelled him “a cheat” following a bad-tempered Essex derby on Saturday.

The U's strolled to a 3-0 over their local rivals, with Duguid playing a man-of-the-match role. However, in Southend's eyes, the U's right-winger was the villain of the piece.

Shrimpers skipper Maher was sent off for an off-the-ball incident, which ended with Duguid lying on the deck, clutching his face. Mark Gower was dismissed just five minutes later, for two bookable offences, the first for dissent and the second for a late tackle on Duguid. That left Southend down to nine men, with 34 minutes still to play.

“He (Maher) can call me a cheat if he wants, but that's just rubbish. He knows what he's done,” insisted Duguid.

“It's down to him. He put his face in my face, which is a straight red card. In my book, putting his face in mine is a head-butt. He deserved to be sent off. Those are the rules.

“He showed his guilt by trying to help me up, rather than just walking away. The linesman saw it. I don't care what he (Maher) says about me. It's not going to change my life!

“In fact, they could have gone down to eight men! Southend completely lost their heads. It was a heated game, and it's not my problem if people try to kick me.”