Luton Town 0 Southend United 0: Newell risks FA's wrath with latest rant after Luton let off hook

Mike Newell, who is no stranger to headlines created by his own opinions, initiated a new controversy last night when, after seeing his team struggle to avoid defeat against the Championship's bottom club, he criticised the Football Association for failing to enforce their own rules.

In his programme notes, he wrote about the manner in which Jose Mourinho had approached referee Alan Wiley at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's recent 1-1 draw with Arsenal - and revealed that in doing this Mourinho had acted against the FA's directives. "It seems there's one rule for them and one rule for us," he said.

According to the Luton Town manager, it was "very interesting to see the Chelsea manager having discussions with the referee on the way off the pitch... It just seems very strange that the rest of us are under a directive from the Football Association not to approach the referee or have any contact with him (or her) either during half-time of for at least 30 minutes after the final whistle."

Asked afterwards about his written comments, Newell added that he wanted to speak to the officials after every match. "But I am not allowed to, am I?" he said. "The problem is that the rules are not enforced."

This latest of several contentious comments from Newell, who a year ago claimed that "bungs" are commonplace in the game and more recently criticised women officials, is likely to create more trouble. At least last night it helped to deflect interest away from a poor-quality contest that was served up by two out-of-form teams.

Indeed, if Luton had applied some of Newell's invective to their football, they might have won. "We gave the ball away too often and that makes it very difficult to create any goal-threats," said Newell. "That was as poor as we have played here for a long time." Luton have now mustered just one win in their last 10 league games.

Southend United were worth at least a point and might have won if Freddy Eastwood had found the net when twice he struck the woodwork. The first time came after 57 minutes when his 25-yard drive hit the bar and the second in the final seconds when, after rounding goalkeeper Dean Kiely, he shot against a post.

"That's two unbeaten and we will enjoy going to play at Spurs in the Carling Cup next week," said Southend manager Steve Tilson. "It will be a nice diversion from the league."

Luton Town (4-4-2): Kiely; Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen, Emanuel; Edwards, Robinson, Bell, Brkovic; Vine (Coyne, 80), Morgan (Feeney, 65). Substitutes not used: Beresford (gk), Langley, Boyd.

Southend United (4-4-2): Flahavan; Hunt, Sodje, Prior, Hammell; Campbell-Ryce (Hooper, 80), Maher, McCormack, Gower; Eastwood, Bradbury (Harrold, 80). Substitutes not used: Francis, Clarke, Welch (gk).

Referee: N Miller (Co Durham).