ADAM Ferrier bagged his first try of the season but was still left feeling frustrated as Southend suffered a 27-21 defeat at high-flying Canterbury.

The Seasiders matched their hosts for most of an evenly-contested National Two South clash.

But the Kent club edged clear in the closing stages and that disappointed Ferrier.

“Saturday’s game was very frustrating to say the least,” said the prop forward.

“We had a tough time at the scrums but we showed good shape in defence and unfortunately on a few occasions didn’t finish off try-scoring opportunities, which against a side like Canterbury is criminal.

“It’s obviously still encouraging to be matching teams at the top of the table but we beat them at home at the beginning of the season so it’s a bit sour losing to them in the second game.

“But, even though we lost, we have taken a lot of positives from the game and this week we’re going to work on the negatives to beat Hartpury.”

Southend, who remain fifth in the table, went in front after just nine minutes when Mark Billings teed up winger Tom Gannon to score and Brad Burr added the conversion.

Burr almost created a second with a neat chip over the defence but Danny Cleare knocked on with the line open and it was not until the last 10 minutes of the half that Canterbury fully rediscovered themselves, with the pack taking a leading role.

Pressure won a penalty, the catch and drive from the lineout was decisive and Brook Cowan was the man who got the touchdown.

With Tom Best’s conversion it was 7-7 at the break, but Canterbury went in front at the start of the second half when young fly half Guy Hilton split the defence to touch down.

Best missed the conversion but soon added a penalty.

However, Southend hit back with scrum-half Lee Sandberg – who was making his last appearance for the club – racing through the back of a line-out to score. Burr’s conversion cut Canterbury’s lead to just a point.

But the hosts responded within three minutes as Grant Kay started and ended a move which brought his side’s third try as Southend fumbled the scrum half’s kick and Aiden Moss swooped before providing the killer pass.

However, Ferrier then charged over and Burr’s conversion put the Seasiders narrowly in front but Southend were unable to stay in front as Canterbury completed a classic catch and drive from a line-out which led to Cowan touching down.

Bent added the conversion and that was enough to see the home side come out on top.