SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has expressed his disappointment at the Shrimpers’ 2-0 defeat to Redbridge in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

Blues’ under 21 team were seen off by the Ryman Division One North strugglers Redbridge, who have shipped 71 goals in 20 league games this term, at a windswept Roots Hall on Tuesday night.

And Brown remains frustrated by the unexpected defeat.

“With all due respect to Redbridge our under 21 team should be winning games like this,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“I think you get a good idea about young players in cup games when they’re under added pressure to perform and collectively the performance wasn’t good enough.

“(Under 21 manager) Dave Robertson was very disappointed after the game and it just looked like a very tense and up tight performance from the team.

“The situation is a bit brighter for one or two of the players but the performance of the team wasn’t good enough and that was reflected in the score-line.”

As a result, striker Jason Williams was also unable to continue his scoring run for the Shrimpers.

And Brown felt the forward was too keen to impress.

“I think Jason was trying almost too hard,” said the Blues boss.

“He was doing too much and it resulted in him suffering from cramp at the end.

“He must have had six or seven efforts at goal but it was just a very frustrating night all round.”