SOUTHEND United’s unbeaten run came to end with a shock 2-1 defeat to Accrington Stanley at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers went in to the game without a defeat in 10 outings.

But Phil Brown’s side rarely looked like scoring against Stanley who took all three points thanks to second half strikes from Piero Mingoia and Terry Gornell.

Barry Corr brought the Shrimpers back in to the game with a far post header but Southend were unable to salvage a late share of the spoils.

After a quiet start to the game, Blues should have opened the scoring in the 25th minute when a bad back pass from Accrington defender Robert Atkinson sent Joe Pigott clean through on goal.

However, Pigott’s first touch sent him away from goal and his second clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over the North Bank net.

Moments later, Shrimpers midfielder Jack Payne saw a low 20 yard shot smothered by Stanley goalkeeper Scott Davies but Accrington soon began to get back in to the game and they came close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute.

Josh Windass’s left wing corner was met by Luke Joyce at the near post and his well struck volley was superbly headed off the line by Ryan Leonard.

But, with 53 minutes on the clock, Accrington did open the scoring as Blues conceded a league goal at home for the first time since October when Mingoia netted with a neatly taken cushioned volley.

Blues immediately responded by making their first substitution as David Worrall replaced Will Atkinson and, in the 63rd minute, a second change followed with Barry replacing Jake Cassidy in attack.

Moments after the alterations, Blues began to threaten with Adam Thompson heading a left wing cross from Jerome Binnom-Williams wide of the right post.

But Accrington hit back to double their lead when a simple header forward carved open Southend’s defence and allowed Terry Gornell to charge clean through on goal before lifting the ball over the advancing Smith to score.

However, within a minute, Blues were back in the game as Payne delivered a chipped right wing cross which was headed home at the far post by Corr.

Immediately after the goal, the Shrimpers made their final change as Kevan Hurst replaced Ben Coker.

But Southend were rarely looked like scoring in the closing stages as they sunk to a frustrating defeat.