SOUTHEND United's League Cup woes continued with a 4-2 defeat against Brentford at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers - who have not in the competition since 2010 - had been hoping to avoid an eighth successive first round exit.

But, despite showing more spirit in the second half, Blues were unable to get the better of a Brentford side sporting 11 changes from the weekend.

The Bees - who did not name ex Shrimpers goalkeeper Daniel Bentley in their squad - carved open the first chance of the night with Alan Judge sending a 10 yard shot wide of the left post before Kamohelo Makotjo fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

With Brentford remaining on top, the Championship club came close to taking the lead when Nicholas Yennaris’ goalbound effort was impressively saved by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

Brentford were not to be denied for long though and Dean Smith’s side opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when Josh Clarke’s through ball enabled Marcus Forss to arrow a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Bees remained on top after going in front with Oxley pushing a curling effort from Judge to safety before the Shrimpers shot-stopper did well to deny both Said Benrahma and Yennaris in the closing moments of the first half.

After the break, Benrahma fired over from close range after Oxley had parried out a well struck shot from Judge but, with 55 minutes on the clock, Blues wasted a glorious opportunity to equalise when Theo Robinson went clean through on goal.

The striker beat Brentford goalkeeper Luke Daniels to the ball but could only send his shot wide of the right post when he should have done much better.

But Robinson made amends in the 62nd minute when he neatly turned past his man in the right hand side of the penalty area before his effort looped over the head of Daniels to draw Blues back level.

However, Shrimpers debutant McCoulsky also attempted to claim the goal as he nodded the ball home from close range but Robinson’s effort may already have crossed the line.

The effort seemed to spark Brentford back into life and just three minutes later the Bees regained the lead with Julian Jeanvier prodding the ball home from close range after Oxley had done to keep out a well struck effort from Yennaris.

Brentford then extended their lead even further in the 67th minute with Benrahma firing home after swapping passes with Forss.

But Blues continue to battle and, in the 72nd minute, they got back into the game in stunning style as McCoulsky sent a rising 20 yard shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Moments later, the Shrimpers came close to equalising when Michael Klass sent a 12 yard header against the crossbar but Brentford sealed the win with a low 20 yard shot from Mokotjo in the 85th minute.