SOUTHEND United’s woes continued with a 2-0 defeat at Port Vale this afternoon.

Vale’s substitute striker Anton Forrester fired Vale in front just before the break before Remie Streete also netted in their second half.

And their well-taken efforts were enough to condemn Blues to an eighth successive defeat, three of which have come at the start of this season.

Southend were initially on top against the Valiants and registered the game’s first shot on target when Jermaine McGlashan sent a deflected 20 yard shot straight at Vale goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.

In reply, JJ Hooper fired over when well placed for the hosts before the Shrimpers again went close to scoring when Will Atkinson’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area was tipped wide of the right post by Alnwick.

Moments later, Simon Cox’s close range header was parried away by Alnwick before McGlashan’s right wing cross flew across the six yard box.

However, Southend were made to pay for failing to take their chances five minutes before the break when Vale broke the deadlock, with Forrester on target.

The former Blackburn Rovers forward was picked out by Sam Foley’s right wing cross and sent a fine header into the top left hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers threatened an immediate equaliser when Stephen McLaughlin headed McGlashan’s right wing cross over the bar.

But Blues came even closer to drawing back level right at the start of the second half when Jason Demetriou’s deep right wing cross found David Mooney whose header hit Nathan Smith before striking the inside of the left and rolled across the goal-line before being cleared.

Vale replied with Forrester having a deflected effort gathered by Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley before the Shrimpers opted to make a double change in the 64th minute with Jack Bridge and Adam King entering the action on place of McGlashan and Will Atkinson.

However, Blues rarely threatened and Vale doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Foley’s left wing corner rebounded into the path of Streete who fired an accurate low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Southend replied by bringing Jason Williams on in place of Cox but Vale comfortably saw out the closing stages to extend Blues’ winless streak.