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After that temperatures began to rise. Maher fouled Ashbee and was shown a yellow card by the debutant referee, Mr. Evans.
Four minutes later Maher went in dangerously on Ryan Williams, prompting Ashbee to grab him and start a 19-man brawl. Ian Selley was yellow carded for the visitors, and then Ashbee and Greg Strong followed him into the book for their involvement.
Two minutes later and Williams was the next addition for catching Neil Jenkins late.
The number of cards was evened up at 4-4 when Broad and Jones made bad challenges, then Shaun Smith was cautioned in 10 minutes before half time.
On the football side, Lawrie Dudfield had two good chances, while Green should of got his second of the afternoon but missed the target. Mark Greaves - playing in Richie Appleby's absence - headed a corner wide minutes before half time.
The opening stages of the second half were not as action-packed, with Whelan's booking the only mention, until the 62nd minute when Southend were on level terms.
A corner came out of the box to Neil Jenkins, who chipped the ball in and glided it above everyone to the back post and past Matt Glennon who never saw it.
City then upped the tempo and Green had a chance to regain the lead but shot over.
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City had to play out the closing stages with only ten men as Ian Ashbee received his second booking of the afternoon, resulting in a red card on his debut. He made a two-footed challenge, and following the earlier yellow card for his involvement in the scuffle he was duly sent off.
The numerical disadvantage proved costly as City gave away their lead for the second time. Two minutes into stoppage time a corner wasn't properly cleared, and Tess Bramble shot through a crowd of players from the edge of the box, beating Glennon and salvaging a point for the visitors.
City line-up (4-3-3): Glennon; Edwards, Anderson, Strong, Smith; Greaves, Ashbee, Green; Williams (Philpott 90), Dudfield, Elliott.
Un-used subs: Musselwhite, Whittle, Price, Bradshaw.
