SOUTHEND United skipper Chris Barker was struggling for words after his side’s heartbreaking play-off exit to Crewe Alexandra tonight.

Barker bagged his first goal in 10 years to secure Blues a 2-2 draw on the night at Roots Hall.

But it was not enough to keep alive the club’s chances of promotion as they lost 3-2 on aggregate – and that left Barker gutted at the final whistle.

“I just really don’t know what to say and it’s not a nice feeling at the moment,” said Barker, 32.

“It feels horrible now and it will for quite some time.

“For some reason we just didn’t turn up in the first half but we were fantastic after the break.

“By then it was too late though and I’m just gutted, like everyone else is.

“Our dressing wasn’t a nice place to be and we all feel sorry for the fans.

“It’s just really hard to take because we were in the top three for so long and let it slip.

“But we have to bounce back from this and do better next season.”

Barker added it would take quite some time to recover from the defeat, which was the second of his career on the play-offs.

However, he wants Blues to end up in the top three next term and avoid the end of season lottery.

“We want to go up automatically next year,” said Barker.

“We just have to make sure we don’t experience this again and try to use it to spur us on as well.

“We could hear Crewe’s players and fans celebrate at the end and next year we want it to be us.

“But first we have to get over this defeat and it won’t be easy.

“It’s going to be a long summer but we have no choice but to battle back and try to do better next time."