SOUTHEND United’s under 21 team crashed out of the Essex Senior Cup at the third round stage tonight, losing 2-0 to Redbridge at a windswept Roots Hall.

William Drake and Jay Knight bagged the goals for the Ryman Division One North side on a disappointing night for the Shrimpers.

Redbridge opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a low, left wing cross was fired home from close range by Drake.

But the shell shocked Shrimpers came close to netting an immediate equaliser when captain Jack Bridge beat two men on the edge of the penalty area before curling a shot against the foot of the right post.

Moments later, Nico Cotton’s low left wing cross was stabbed wide of the right upright from close range by Freddie Gard before Cotton sliced another effort wide of the opposite upright.

However, Blues struggled to draw back with level with Jason Williams having a low, 16 yard shot smothered by Redbridge goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

After the break, Williams sent another effort straight at the on loan Orient shot-stopper but Redbridge soon came close to doubling their lead when Knight was denied by Ted Smith in a one on one situation.

In reply, Williams saw another close range effort kept out by Sargeant before Blues boss David Robertson made a double change in the 80th minute with Damani Dias and Ross Johnson entering the action.

However, the Shrimpers were unable to conjure up a late leveller with Williams heading over from six yards before he limped off injured.

And Redbridge added to Blues’ misery right at the death with Knight bringing down the ball well before firing home from 10 yards.

Southend United: T. Smith, Jordan Williams, Adeyeye (Johnson 80), Bridge, Matsuzaka, Kyprianou, Scott (Dias 80), Norman, Jason Williams (Matthews 88), Gard, Cotton.