SOUTHEND United suffered a second defeat in the space of five days after twice letting the lead slip against Hartlepool United at Roots Hall.

Jack Bridge and Gus Scott-Morriss twice fired the Shrimpers in front.

But the visitors posed problems themselves going forward and hit back to secure a 3-2 victory.

Blues started brightly and had two early shouts for a penalty waved away before breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute, with Bridge on target for the first time this season.

A chipped right wing cross from Callum Powell found Harry Cardwell at the far post and his header back across goal was volleyed home by Bridge from close range.

Hartlepool soon hit back with Anthony Mancini firing wide of the right post from long range before he also sent a powerful header inches over the crossbar.

In reply, Cav Miley sent a long range effort wide of the left post before the visitors drew back level in the 27th minute when a low 25 yard shot from Tom Crawford nestled in the bottom right hand corner of the South Stand net.

Hartlepool came close to taking the lead at the start of the second half when Mani Dieseruvwe volleyed inches wide of the left post.

But Blues regained the lead in the 52nd minute with a driven left wing cross from Powell found Gus Scott-Morriss who stooped to score with a well-taken header from 12 yards.

However, the visitors were back level just five minutes as Chris Wreh played in substitute Joe Grey who was given far too much time and space before scoring with a close range shot into the roof of the net.

Blues boss Kevin Maher responded by bringing on Dan Mooney in place of Powell and the hosts soon threatened with Nathan Ralph volleying a right wing corner from Cav Miley wide of the right post.

In reply, the dangerous Anthony Mancini also fired of the right upright before Hartlepool took the lead for the first time in the 73rd minute when Charlie Seaman worked his way in from the right hand side before sending a low, left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

Blues replied with their second substitution of the game as Jack Wood replaced Wes Fonguck in midfield but it was still the visitors who threatened next with skipper David Ferguson seeing a long range shot parried to safety by Blues goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi.

After surviving the scare, Southend soon came close to equalising when a cross-shot from Bridge backed bounce off the crossbar.

But Hartlepool were soon back on top and wasted a huge chance to score when Callum Cooke fired wide of the left post from 12 yards.

However, the missed opportunity was not to prove costly as the visitors saw out six minutes of stoppage time to make sure of all three points.