TWO Josh Wright goals in quick succession saw 10 man Southend United sink to a 2-1 defeat at Gilingham this afternoon.

Wright fired home twice in the space of four minutes to hand the Gills all three points against a Shrimpers side who had Ryan Inniss sent off for two bookable offences deep into the first half stoppage time.

Blues fought hard in the second half with Nile Ranger heading home in the 83rd minute but the visitors were unable to conjure up a late leveller.

The game, which saw Southend lose for just the third time in 22 games, was slow to get going in the blustery conditions but the Gills were able to break the deadlock in the 41st minute, with Wright firing home a penalty.

The spot-kick was given after referee Dean Whitestone adjudged Blues right back Jason Demetriou to have brought down Cody McDonald.

And Wright made the most of the opportunity as he sent the penalty into the left hand side of the net with Shrimpers goalkeeper Ted Smith diving in the opposite direction.

But Gills remained on top and were celebrating again just four minutes with Wright scoring for the second time in quick succession.

Poor defending from the Shrimpers allowed McDonald to dart through the left hand side of the penalty area and deliver a fine low cross which Wright bundled into the back of the net from close range.

However, things were soon to get even worse for Blues as they were reduced to 10 men seven minutes into stoppage time after Inniss was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Josh Parker.

Southend rearranged at the break with John White replacing Jermaine McGlashan and Nile Ranger coming on for Marc-Antoine Fortune.

But the Gills still threatened next with ex Shrimpers trialist Parker sending a long range effort inches wide of the right post before he was impressively denied by Smith’s legs in the 55th minute.

Blues fought back with Simon Cox having a well struck shot pushed wide of the right post by Gills goalkeeper Stuart Nelson who then comfortably gathered a long range effort from Leonard.

In a further bid to get back into the game, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown brought Theo Robinson on to replace Anthony Wordsworth in the 73rd minute before Adam Thompson headed a Michael Timlin free-kick straight at Nelson.

Gills replied with Scott Wagstaff and Parker both having efforts smothered by Smith before Blues got back into the game in the 83rd minute, with Ranger on attack.

The striker was picked out by a deep right wing cross from fellow substitute Robinson and made no mistake with a firm downward header from six yards.

However, despite continuing to push forward, Blues were unable to draw back level as they suffered their third defeat of the season to Gillingham.