SOUTHEND United’s failings in front of goal were cruelly exposed in a 1-0 defeat at Newport County tonight.

The shot-shy Shrimpers, who have now scored just once in four games, dominated large spells of the game at Newport County.

But Phil Brown’s side were unable to convert the clear cut chances that came their way, with Myles Weston missing the best of the bench as he failed to fire home a second half penalty.

The recalled striker’s miss proved crucial too as Newport hit back to score the only goal of the game, just 12 minutes later, with Mark Byrne volleying in the home-side’s first shot on target off the evening.

The midfielder’s effort was ultimately enough to separate the two teams but Blues only have themselves to blame after wasting a succession of chances.

The first of those came in the 32nd minute when a right wing cross from Ryan Leonard resulted in a goal mouth scramble in which Barry Corr and Michael Timlin both had shots blocked.

And, just seconds later, the Shrimpers open almost went in front when John White’s deep free-kick dropped down to Corr inside the area but the striker’s shot was blocked on the goal-line by Newport defender Kevin Feely.

With Blues beginning to get on top, Weston then did well to race onto Leonard’s through ball before having an effort, from a narrow angle, pushed wide for a corner by Newport goalkeeper Joe Day.

Weston then volleyed over an inviting left wing cross from Jerome Binnom-Williams to ensure a largely uneventful first half ended goalless.

At the start of the second half, the Shrimpers wasted an even clearer opportunity when Luke Prosser headed a right wing cross from Leonard back in to the path of an unmarked White just six yards from goal.

But the Blues skipper’s left footed volley was kept out by Day, who dived well to his left hand side to parry the defender’s shot to safety.

The Shrimpers were then even more frustrated in the 62nd minute when they failed to convert a golden chance, with Day keeping out a penalty from Weston.

The spot-kick was awarded when Feely clearly handled a left wing cross from Binnom-Williams’ inside the area.

However, Weston’s spot kick was at a good height for Day who again dived well to his left hand side to keep out the effort.

Three minutes later, Weston was replaced in attack by Lee Barnard.

But his miss was soon to improve in significance as Newport took the lead in the 74th minute, with Byrne on target.

The former Barnet midfielder rushed on to a loose ball just outside the penalty area and sent a scuffed effort in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Newport then almost doubled their lead when captain Andy Sandell saw his 25 yard free-kick acrobatically tipped wide of the left post by Daniel Bentley.

That prompted Blues’ boss Phil Brown in to making his second change of the night as Jack Payne replaced Timlin.

But Newport were now looking comfortable and only a fine save from Blues goalkeeper Daniel Bentley stopped substitute James Loveridge adding a second goal which would have heaped even more misery on a Southend side who have now not won in four games.