SOUTHEND United crashed back down to earth with a frustrating 2-0 defeat against Barnet at Roots Hall this afternoon.

After Saturday’s success at Kidderminster, positive news on the takeover and Kevin Maher signing a new deal, the Shrimpers went into the clash on a high.

But the high flying Bees had other ideas and boosted their own promotion hopes by recording all three points in front of almost 8,000 fans.

Third placed Barnet took the lead after just four minutes when Reece Hall-Johnson cut in from the right hand side of the penalty area before unleashing a deflected left footed shot which flew into the top left hand corner of the net.

Blues soon hit back Gus Scott-Morriss seeing his low shot from Nathan Ralph’s left wing cross well saved by the legs of Barnet goalkeeper Laurie Walker.

Moments later, Henry Sandat saw a low, left footed shot smothered by Walker before the visitors came close to making it 2-0 when a left wing corner from Dale Gorman was met by Adebola Oluwo whose header deflected just wide.

In reply, Wes Fonguck had a 25 yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Walker before a clearly rattled Idris Kanu was shown just a yellow card after leading with the arm at Scott-Morriss just moments after being aggrieved a free-kick decision did not go his way.

Kanu made way for ex Shrimpers defender Ben Coker at the break but it was the hosts who threatened first after the break with Scott-Morriss reaching Ollie Kensdale’s cross just before Walker, only for Danny Collinge to scramble the ball clear.

Moments later, Fonguck played in Sandat only for the striker to see his shot saved by Walker before Barnet hit back with Connor Stevens heading Gorman’s left wing corner wide of the left post.

With play switching to the other end of the field, Oli Coker fired wide of the left post from long range before Sandat had the ball in the back of the net – only to see the effort ruled out by a marginal offside decision.

In a bid to get back into the game, Blues made their first change of the game in the 72nd minute with Jack Wood taking the place of Mauro Vilhete.

After the substitution, Scott-Morriss saw a close range header from Bridge’s left wing corner blocked in front of goal before Barnet doubled their lead in the 78th minute, with Harry Pritchard on target from the penalty spot.

Referee Kirsty Dowle pointed to the spot after adjudging Andeng Ndi to have fouled Nicke Kabamba in the box.

And Pritchard made the most of the penalty as he slammed a fine left footed shot high into the top right hand corner of the net.

Blues responded by bringing on Brooklyn Kabongolo in place of Sandat up top but the hosts were unable to work their way back into the game.