A DEPRESSING week for Southend United ended in a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe this afternoon.

Just three days after their star winger Ryan Hall was sentenced to jail before being released on bail pending an appeal, Blues were undone from two set pieces.

And that saw them crash to their first away reverse of 2011.

Paul Sturrock's side started sluggishly and almost went behind after just seven minutes when James Spencer's header, from Kevan Hurst's left wing cross was well saved by Southend goalkeeper Rhys Evans low to his left hand side.

Moments later, Spencer's strike partner – Danny Carlton – headed wide of the same upright following another dangerous cross from Hurst.

But Southend hit back in the 13th minute with Hall delivering a high cross from the right hand side which a stretching Barry Corr headed wide of the left post.

Morecambe immediately replied with Andrew Fleming sending a 25 yard half volley past the left post and, in the 28th minute, they opened the scoring as left wing corner from Laurence Wilson was headed home by Chris McCready from eight yards.

The Shrimps fully deserved their lead and almost doubled it in the 35th minute when a inswinging free-kick from the left footed Wilson took a late deflection off Chris Barker just in front of goal before being brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Evans.

The relieved Blues shot-stopper then saw Carlton shoot over from long range but the home-side's continued pressure forced Sturrock in to his first formation change of the afternoon.

The former Plymouth Argyle chief reverted to a 4-3-3 system having the started the match with a 4-4-2 and his side almost levelled on the stroke of half-time as a looping 20 yard volley from Soares was tipped on to the top of the left post by Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche.

That effort was Soares' last involvement of the match as he was replaced by Lee Sawyer during the break in a switch which saw Southend change to a 5-3-2 formation.

And, just five minutes in to the second period, Blues were back level, with Corr bagging his 16th goal of the season.

The in-form striker has now scored in his last four starts and he confidently fired in to the left hand side of the goal after Anthony Grant had been brought down inside the area by Hurst.

With Southend now looking to push on and take the lead, an excellent left wing cross from Hall was just diverted away from Grant at the back post.

But Blues' spell of pressure was not to last long as Morecambe regained the lead in the 63rd minute.

The goal again came from a set piece situation after Barker was harshly adjudged to have fouled Garry Hunter on the right flank while attempting to usher the ball out of play.

The resulting free-kick was delivered by Wilson, enabling Stewart Drummond to rise above Barker and head home from eight yards.

Morecambe continued to attack and they came close to making it 3-1 in the 69th minute when a scorching long range shot from Carlton struck the top of the crossbar.

Blues boss Sturrock attempted to get his side back in to the game by bringing on Kyle Asante in place of his son Blair late on and Southend did threaten when a 25 yard free-kick from Hall deflected only inches past the right post.

However, Morecambe were not troubled too often and they comfortably hung on to secure the double over Southend United.