Southend United's Paul Sturrock: We were too confident of beating Aldershot Town (From Echo)

Southend United's Paul Sturrock: We were too confident of beating Aldershot Town

11:10am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

Britt Assombalonga battles for the ball

SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock felt his team paid the price for being too confident against Aldershot Town last night.

Blues suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall as the struggling Shots ended a run of seven successive defeats.

And Sturrock was left disappointed by the attitude of his players.

“There was one team that came out wanting to win and there was one team that thought they had won,” said the Blues boss.

“That was the main difference because Aldershot’s attitude and work rate was terrific from the very first whistle.

“But so many of my players had an off night. Players that have been stalwarts all season didn’t come to the show and I am gutted.”

Sturrock's side went behind after just 25 seconds when Danny Hylton put the visitors ahead and Blues were fortunate not to concede more goals in the first half.

“The game plan right went out the window when they scored and all of a sudden we are panicking,” said Sturrock.

“Aldershot could have had a couple more in the first half and we didn't handle them well at all.

“But too few have been asked to do too much at the football club right now because of injuries and suspensions.

“And, after the tonic of the Rotherham game, our last two results are a real kick in the teeth.”

However, Blues could well have triumphed last night had substitute Freddy Eastwood not failed to convert a penalty 10 minutes from time.

With the score at 1-1, the striker had a spot kick saved by Shots goalkeeper Jamie Young and that only added to Sturrock's frustration.

“We get the penalty and you think we will be 2-1 up,” said the Scotsman.

“I don’t mind who grabs the ball as long as they are confident and I would imagine Freddy would have been confident to take it.

“But it wasn’t to be and the keeper has made a decent save.

“It gave them a wee spurt and then a mistake by our goalie coming for the ball cost us dearly.”