One step forward two steps back for Southend United

And that was certainly the case at Portsmouth on Saturday as the Shrimpers slumped to a frustrating 1-0 defeat.

Having gone into the clash on the back of two successive league victories and after suffering just one defeat in five outings hopes were high that Phil Brown’s side had finally kick-started a previously stuttering season.

But what transpired at Fratton Park was a disappointing display which finally saw Blues’ remarkable November record come to an end.

The Shrimpers had gone 27 games and eight years since last losing a league game during the 11th month of the year.

And, in truth, that run looked like it could be extended during the first half on Saturday.

Blues certainly shaded the opening 45 minutes but were again hindered by what is becoming quite a big problem this term – an inability to hit the back of the net.

Simon Cox was unfortunate to see an effort cleared off the line while Theo Robinson was denied by a good save from Portsmouth goalkeeper Luke McGee.

Yet, by far the best opportunity came on the stroke of half-time when Nile Ranger sent a poor penalty sailing over the crossbar.

Ranger had netted his previous spot-kick at Fleetwood Town in September but his latest effort was wayward at best and, in truth, summed up his below par performance.

Since coming to the club, it has often been the controversial striker’s character rather than his quality which has been called into question but right now he is failing to deliver.

Ranger has been allowed to get away with more than most during his stint with the Shrimpers and chairman Ron Martin opted to stand by him following a serious breach of club discipline which led to the forward serving a one month long suspension.

Martin again stayed loyal to Ranger in the summer when he was sent to prison after pleading guilty to online fraud and has gone above and beyond in a bid to get the forward back on the straight and narrow, including holding meetings with members of his family.

With that in mind, Ranger is somewhat lucky to still be playing professionally and he certainly owes the Shrimpers a huge deal.

But the striker has now netted just once in 13 games this season and must start to step things up if he is to repay the faith being shown in him.

Ranger’s penalty miss was Blues’ third in four attempts and it does seem somewhat strange that one designated spot-kick taker has not been selected.

Blues boss Phil Brown said after the game that four penalty takers had been highlighted but such an approach seems slightly confusing and, moving forward, Josh Wright – who was so often successful from the spot for Gillingham – seems likely to step up.

Simon Cox had missed his two previous penalties but he remains Blues’ best bet going forward and his creative qualities were wasted in a deeper role at the weekend.

But the Shrimpers - who also need to find a way to bring the best out of Michael Kightly - often struggle when missing Anthony Wordsworth.

In fact, Blues have failed to win any of their last six league games without him and have triumphed in just two of the last 10 he has sat out.

Portsmouth had no such problem on Saturday and Brett Pitman secured all three points with his 12th goal of the season, just two less than the entire Southend starting line-up.

Blues have now bagged just 20 goals in their 17 league this term, the joint lowest among the top 16 sides in the division.

And that poor record must be improved if the Shrimpers are to get anywhere near securing any kind of success this season.