SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has urged his players to use the pain of missing out on automatic promotion to inspire their play-off push.

The Shrimpers missed out on a top three finish and a return to League One after suffering a painful 3-1 defeat at Morecambe on Saturday.

But Brown, whose side were roared on by more than 2,200 fans at the Globe Arena, is now demanding an immediate reaction in the two legged play-off semi-final against Stevenage.

"We've got a group of players who are hurting but they've now got to turn that pain into joy and they are the only ones who can do it," said Brown.

"We got ourselves into a great position and we've thrown it away but we have to dust ourselves down again and get ready for the twists and turns of the play-offs."

Blues finished the season sitting fifth in the League Two table but with an impressive tally of 84 points, which would have secured automatic promotion in 19 of the past 20 seasons.

And Brown hopes that good form will prove pivotal in the play-offs.

"With seven wins, two draws and one defeat in nine games you have to say we're still going into the play-offs with momentum," said the Shrimpers boss.

"Getting 84 points is also a magnificent return but of course it's a massive disappointment to miss out on the top three.

"The expectation level was automatic promotion and a carnival atmosphere but unfortunately it didn't turn out that way."

Blues' defeat enabled Bury to move above them into third and Brown felt it was the timing of Morecambe's second goal, towards the start of the second half, that proved to be most costly.

"The way we came out for the second half was magnificent and we were on the front foot but Morecambe's second goal killed us," said Brown.

"After that the game was very open and I don't like that but we had to throw caution to the wind.

"We made some positive changes but it wasn't enough in the end.

"Their goalkeeper was also magnificent and unfortunately it just wasn't to be."

Blues now head to Stevenage for the first leg of the play-offs on Sunday in a game that kicks off at 6.35pm.

The second leg will be at Roots Hall the following Thursday, kick off 7.45pm.