SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown insists his side have no chance of securing automatic promotion following tonight’s 2-1 defeat at table topping Burton Albion.

The fifth placed Shrimpers are now six points behind the top three with just nine games left in the League Two season.

And Brown feels that gap will be impossible to close.

“Before the game and at half-time we were going for automatic promotion but I think that’s gone now,” said the 55-year-old.

“If there was any pressure on the players then I’m taking it off them by saying we have no chance of automatic promotion.

“Our only chance of promotion is the play-offs and we will have to fight hard to get in them as well.”

Blues had initially looked liked coming out on top at the Pirelli Stadium after leading 1-0 at half-time and also having an extra man for the entire second 45 minutes after the home-side’s Robbie Weir was dismissed just before the break.

But the Brewers, who knocked Southend out of the play-offs last season, were still able to come out on top.

And that infuriated Brown.

“There are just no excuses for that second half performance,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“I can’t legislate for why we dropped off and why we weren’t in the face of the opposition.

“Burton ran out worthy winners in the end and it wasn’t good enough.

“We lacked ideas and a positive thought process.”