SOUTHEND United legend Paul Clark felt the contrasting fortunes of the substitutes was the main difference between the Shrimpers and Stevenage at Broadhall Way at the weekend.

Stevenage bagged three late goals to triumph 4-2 at Broadhall Way.

And Clark, who played for and managed Blues during his own spell at Roots Hall, believes it was Graham Westley's changes which enabled the hosts to come out on top.

“Overall I thought this game was a tale of substitutions,” said Clark.

“The three Stevenage substitutes – Ben Kennedy, Calvin Zola and Tom Pett had a real impact on what they did and really for Southend, without being disrespectful to those who came on because they're good players, they didn't have any real impact whatsoever.”

Blues introduced Kevan Hurst, Jake Cassidy and Shaq Coulthirst in to the action, with Cassidy missing a great chance to score when the two teams were locked level at 2-2.

However, before that opportunity went missing, Clark thought Southend looked like coming out on top. “For an hour I thought Southend matched what Stevenage do and probably did it better than Stevenage too,” said Clark, 56.

“I thought they had a bit more quality and Southend were a little unfortunate to be 1-0 down at half-time.

“They looked by far the better of the two teams at the start of the second half and after they went 2-1 in front I thought they would go on to win the game comfortably but it wasn't to be.”

That was largely down to some slack defending from the Shrimpers.

And Clark felt they were unable to find a way to stop Kennedy running riot after his introduction.

“It was the penalty that got Stevenage back in to the game and gave them the impetus to go on and from then on Kennedy ripped Southend apart,” said Clark.

“It was a quality finish for his goal which made it 3-2 and the final goal he sucked the two centre-backs in before passing to Dean Parrett to get on to the score-sheet.

“Ultimately it was a disappointing day for Southend but it didn't really look like being that way for about an hour of the game.”

>NO Blues players were made available for interview after Saturday's game.