SOUTHEND United’s hopes of automatic promotion suffered a huge blow tonight as Aldershot Town recorded a 1-0 win at Roots Hall.

Danny Hylton’s second half header handed the Shots all three points.

And the defeat also pushed Blues down to fourth in the League Two standings.

Paul Sturrock’s side failed to register a single effort on target all evening.

But, with four minutes on the clock, the recalled Blair Sturrock scuffed a shot wide of the left post from 18 yards and, just moments later, a fine right wing cross from Elliot Benyon fizzed across the face of goal.

The lively opening was followed by a lull in proceedings before Lee Hills charged down the left wing in the 24th minute and delivered a deep cross which Aldershot keeper Jamie Young palmed to safety.

In reply, Shots midfielder Josh Payne fired wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area and, on the stroke of half-time, the same player delivered a dangerous deep free-kick which Cameron Belford did well to gather at the back post.

Blues hit back at the start of the second period with Ryan Hall dragging a 25 yard shot wide of the right post and, in the 57th minute, Lee Sawyer fired past the opposite upright after some neat approach play involving both Sean Clohessy and Benyon.

However, after surviving the scares, Aldershot opened the scoring two minutes later, with Hylton bagging his 15th goal of the season.

The striker was left unmarked just six yards from goal and headed a left wing cross from Darren Jones in to the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Southend boss Paul Sturrock responded by making an immediate double change as David Martin replaced Lee Sawyer and Neil Harris came on for ineffective Sturrock up front.

Harris was booked for clashing with Shots skipper Ben Herd just two minutes after coming on but the visitors continued to push forward with Peter Vincenti shooting straight at Belford from long range.

Blues replied with Hall firing inches past the right post from 30 yards and, in the 77th minute, substitute David Martin also shot wide after a mazy run down the left hand side.

Sturrock then made his final change in the 87th minute with Jack Sampson replacing Chris Barker.

But Southend were unable to conjure up a late leveler as they crashed out of the automatic promotion places.