THERE are not many certainties in League Two football, but Southend United struggling to beat Morecambe seems to be one of them.

The Shrimpers sunk to a 1-0 defeat against their biggest bogey team at Roots Hall on Saturday.

And that meant they have now failed to beat the Shrimps in any of the nine league meetings between the two sides.

Eight of those have been won by Jim Bentley’s team while the other one was drawn meaning they have taken 25 of a possible 27 points from Blues since they first met back in 2010.

Saturday’s setback also saw the form book turned on its head as Southend headed in to the game on the back of four successive wins, in stark contrast to Morecambe who had lost their last three.

However, the Shrimpers failed to reach the high standards they have set themselves in recent weeks and a combination of uncharacteristically sloppy defending and an all too familiar failure to finish in front of goal saw their winning sequence came to an end.

Jack Redshaw bagged the only goal of the afternoon with an impressive volley.

But the striker was given too much space in order for him to score and Blues, who came in to the game boasting the joint best defensive record at this level, were not at their best at the back.

In fact, had it not been for the fine form of goalkeeper Daniel Bentley, Morecambe would certainly have added to Redshaw’s early effort as the Shrimpers shot-stopper pulled off three fine saves.

Yet that perhaps provides an inaccurate perception of the game as Blues recovered well from going behind and piled on the pressure towards the end of the first half.

Having already seen Conor Clifford slam an effort against the crossbar, Shaq Coulthirst headed straight at Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche from close range.

Coulthirst then went close a further three times before Kevan Hurst and Jerome Binnom-Williams were both denied by Roche.

Then, just as it seemed the game could not get any more frustrating for the Shrimpers, Luke Prosser sent a flicked effort just past the left post as a sliding David Worrall somehow failed to apply the finishing touch.

That compounded a miserable match for Blues as Morecambe came out on top in a clash which at times became fairly physical and quite niggly.

Jim Bentley clearly set up his more experienced side to stop Southend building up any kind of momentum or tempo and the early goal and their superior game management enabled them to carry out their plan to perfection.

But while the defeat and aspects of the performance were very disappointing, Blues do still sit fourth in the League Two table with four victories from their last five games.

They also have three more points than they did at this stage of last season and are also just three points behind table topping Bury.

Subsequently, Saturday’s setback should not spark an over-reaction but, at the same time, lessons do need to be learned.

The defence needs to get back to its best after being below par against the Shrimps but given their record so far this season, you sense that will soon be the case.

However, big doubts still remain about Southend’s capabilities at the other end of the field.

Several chances again went unconverted at the weekend and the conversion needs to be raised if promotion is to be achieved this season.

The goal-getting qualities remain the biggest concern and manager Phil Brown is perhaps still searching for Blues’ best attacking formula.

Another signing may well be needed in that area.

But whoever he may sign and those already at the club will at least be grateful to only having to play Morecambe once more in the league this season.