SOUTHEND United were brushed aside by table-topping Wigan Athletic at the DW Arena this afternoon, suffering a 4-1 defeat against the Latics.

Blues conceded three goals in the opening 36 minutes and never looked like getting anything from a game which extended their sudden loss of form.

The Shrimpers have now gone five games without a win and have triumphed just three times in their last 15 outings.

In stark contrast, Wigan have now all but secured a return to the Championship and they came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes when Stephen Warnock’s well struck left footed shot was parried out by Ted Smith before Michael Jacobs headed over the rebound.

But the Latics were not to be denied for long and, seven minutes later, they opened the scoring with Chris McCann on target.

The midfielder broke the offside trap to race onto Jacobs’ through ball and fired an accurate left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

With Wigan remaining on top, Jacobs soon had a powerful effort parried away by Smith – who was making his first start of the season - before McCann sent another effort against the foot of the right post.

Moments later, McCann’s close range volley from Yanic Wildschut’s left wing cross was gathered by Smith at the second attempt but, in the 17th minute, Wigan doubled their lead with Will Grigg scoring for the 25th time this season.

The striker reacted sharply after Wildschut’s shot had bounced back off the left post and made no mistake with a scuffed finish into the gaping goal from close range.

Wigan continued to dominate proceedings with Jacobs seeing a low shot smothered by Smith.

But, in the 36th minute, Grigg was on target again as he raced clean through on goal before beating Smith with a dinked left footed shot.

Blues boss Phil Brown responded by making a double change in the 41st minute as David Mooney replaced Tyrone Barnett and Jack Payne came on in place of Sam McQueen.

But Wigan stayed on top and made it 4-0 just five minutes into the second half when Jacobs thundered home an accurate effort from 12 yards after more inept defending from the Shrimpers.

Grigg then fired inches wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area before Blues boss Brown made his final change of the afternoon in the 59th minute with Stephen McLaughlin coming on for Garey Deegan.

However, Wigan stayed on top with Grigg having a close range effort ruled out for offside but the Shrimpers soon replied with Ryan Leonard heading over Adam Thompson had nodded across a left wing corner from David Worrall.

Wigan replied with Grigg wasting an excellent chance from 12 yards as he sent a left footed shot over the crossbar.

But, with 74 minutes on the clock, Blues reduced the deficit when Craig Morgan diverted a right wing cross into the bottom right hand corner of his own net.

However it was too little too late for the Shrimpers who remain 13th in the League One table.