A SECOND half brace from Ipswich Town midfielder Liam Trotter ended Southend United's run of warm up wins at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers went into the clash on the back of four successive victories over non league sides.

But they were unable to keep the unbeaten record going against the Tractor Boys as Trotter twice hit home to secure a 2-0 triumph for his team.

Before his intervention, Blues had mostly matched their Championship visitors and, after six minutes, skipper Adam Barrett – who was joined by Jean-Francois Christophe at the heart of the defence - fired just wide of the left post from 25 yards Francis Laurent then failed to control a right wing cross from Dutch trialist striker Maceo Rigters but the game was largely uneventful during the opening exchanges and the most entertaining moment came when Billericay based referee Andy D'Urso fell the floor following a sliding tackle from Anthony Grant.

The midfielder was fine to continue but Blues did suffer an injury blow in the 33rd minute as Barrett limped off to be replaced by Lee Sawyer.

Moments later, Rigters forced Town goalkeeper Richard Wright into action with an angled low drive from the right hand side of the penalty area but, in the 40th minute, Ipswich came even closer to opening the scoring when midfielder Trotter struck the outside of the right with a driven left foot shot from 20 yards.

With Ipswich now beginning to get more involved as an attacking force, Jon Walters nodded a downward header from six yards over the South Stand crossbar in the final action of the first half.

The start of the second period involved a few heated challenges – mostly involving Ipswich left-back Damien Delaney and Blues winger Francis Laurent.

Delaney was eventually booked for a poor tackle on the Frenchman and it came as no surprise when Roy Keane opted to take him off before he received a red card.

But his departure seemed to make little difference as the visitors went ahead in the 57th minute of the match as David Norris crossed from the right hand side and an unmarked Trotter headed home from six yards.

The Shrimpers responded by making their second change of the night with Alex Revell coming on for Lee Barnard in attack but it was still Ipswich on top.

Jon Stead warmed the hands of Steve Mildenhall with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area and, in the 68th minute, Trotter sealed his side's win with a fine curling shot from 20 yards which curled into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Southend: Mildenhall, Francis (Herd 78), Christophe, Barrett (Sawyer 33), Bakayogo, Laurent, Grant, McCormack (O'Keefe 79), Moussa, Barnard (Revell 61) , Rigters (Calver 78).

Subs not used: Joyce

Attendance: 2, 826