SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was left ruing his side’s lack of quality in the final third following a 2-0 defeat to Millwall at Roots Hall.

The Lions moved into the southern section final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with the victory.

And Brown felt the difference between the two team’s strikers ultimately led to Millwall coming out on top.

“We need to be more clinical in front of goal because we didn’t have enough in the final third,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“I need better quality up there and strikers who can turn a game in key moments like theirs did.

“That was the difference in the end and my players are hurting now just like me.

“It would be an understatement to say I’m disappointed.”

Brown had been hoping to move a step closer to his third Wembley final with the Shrimpers.

But his night turned sour as the Lions moved through to the area final.

“Millwall had a strong following who made a lot of noise and I don’t like people coming here and winning so I’m disappointed,” said Brown.”

“We need to be stronger and more resolute individually and collectively.

“We also need to learn lessons from what went wrong and we will need to play much better when we go to Bradford on Saturday.”