SOUTHEND United started the League One season with a 3-2 defeat against Doncaster Rovers in an entertaining opening day encounter.

The Shrimpers dominated the first half at Roots Hall but were unable to find a way past visiting goalkeeper Marko Marosi who superbly denied both Ben Coker and Simon Cox.

Rovers took full advantage in the second half and soon raced into a three goal lead with a trio of goals in quick succession.

A shell-shocked Blues hit back with goals from Tom Hopper and Theo Robinson setting up a frantic finale.

But, despite eight minutes of added on time, Southend were unable to conjure up a late equaliser as Grant McCann triumphed in his first game in charge of the visitors. 

Doncaster were forced to withstand plenty of Shrimpers pressure as Chris Powell’s side bossed the majority of the first half.

And, inside the opening minute, Hopper headed Michael Kightly’s right wing cross straight at Rovers goalkeeper Marko Marosi.

Moments later, the visiting custodian parried away a 20 yard shot from Kightly.

But the Shrimpers remained on top and, with 12 minutes on the clock, the hosts came even closer to breaking the deadlock when a 20 yard free-kick from Coker was superbly tipped wide of the left post by Marosi.

The Slovakian shot-stopper was it again in the 20th minute when he somehow kept out a deflected SCox effort with his legs and, four minutes later, a goalbound effort Kightly effort was deflected just wide by Doncaster defender Danny Andrew.

After surviving the scares, Rovers hit back with Alister Crawford curling a 20 yard shot after the crossbar but Blues were soon back on top with Cox having a low effort smothered by Marosi.

However, Doncaster withstood the pressure and broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, with John Marquis on target.

The Rovers striker was picked out by Tommy Rowe following a poor clearance from Michael Turner and easily worked his way past Harry Lennon before sending a rising effort into the top right hand corner of the net.

Seven minutes later, Rovers doubled their lead when Mallik Wilks turned sharply to send a low 20 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Blues boss Powell responded with a double change with saw Sam Barratt and Robinson enter the action and Robinson almost made an immediate impression when he curled a 20 yard shot wide of the right post.

But Rovers replied and extended their lead even further in the 70th minute when a tame Tommy Rowe shot trickled into the bottom right hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Shrimpers boss Powell immediately made a third change with Timothee Dieng replacing Kightly.

And, in the 73rd minute, Blues got a goal back when Hopper bundled home the rebound after a low shot from Sam Mantom had been well saved by Marosi.

The goal lifted the Shrimpers’ spirits with Hopper soon firing over from a promising position and Barratt having a long range shot tipped wide of the left post by Marosi.

But, four minutes from time, Robinson sent a rising left footed shot into the roof of the net from close range.

However, the Shrimpers were unable to find a third goal in the latter stages as Doncaster held on to scure all three points.