SOUTHEND United’s loss of form continued with a 1-0 defeat to struggling Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall this evening.

David Worrall and Tyrone Barnett both wasted good chances to score for the stuttering Shrimpers in the first half.

And the missed opportunities returned to haunt Blues after the break as Curtis Main bagged the only goal of the game to make it three wins in 14 outings for Phil Brown’s side.

Oldham, who are fighting to avoid relegation, came close to opening the scoring inside the first minute when former Shrimpers transfer target Jonathan Forte slammed a low, left footed shot against the foot of the left post.

Moments later, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis’ effort flew inches wide of the right post after deflecting off of Adam Barrett before Blues hit back with Barnett heading over Stephen McLaughlin’s left wing corner when he should have done better.

However, Oldham were soon back on top with Holmes-Dennis sending an effort over the crossbar from 12 yards before Forte had a well struck half volley well saved by Bentley.

After surviving the scares, Southend replied with Worrall sending a left footed shot over the crossbar before the winger wasted an even clearer chance to score on the half hour mark when he was denied by Oldham goalkeeper Joel Coleman when clean through on goal.

With Blues continuing to push for the opening goal, a last ditch challenge from George Edmundson stopped Barnett scoring and the on loan Shrewsbury Town striker went even closer to scoring in the 31st minute when his header was cleared off the line by Cameron Dummigan.

Jack Payne then had a long range shot smothered by Coleman at the second attempt to ensure the first half ended goalless.

After the break, Forte ignored two team-mates free to his right hand side to fire straight at Bentley before Dummigan sent a long range effort straight at the Shrimpers shot-stopper.

But Oldham made the breakthrough in the 66th minute with a quickly constructed counter-attack which began with Payne carelessly conceded possession.

The Blues midfielder was dispossessed by Timothee Dieng who then raced past a sliding challenge from Adam Thompson before rolling the ball into the path of Forte.

This time, the striker opted to tee up his fellow striker and delivered a dangerous cross to Main who fired home an accurate first time finish.

In a bid to get back into the game, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first change of the night in the 75th minute with Jamar Loza coming on to replace Stephen McLaughlin.

Eight minutes later, Southend made a second substitution with Sam McQueen replacing Thompson but Blues rarely threatened late on as they sunk to a third defeat in four games.