STEPHEN McLaughlin was left feeling ‘gutted’ after Southend United just missed out on securing a place in the League One play-offs.

McLaughlin bagged the only goal of the game to help the Shrimpers finish their campaign with a 1-0 win against Bury at Roots Hall.

But Millwall’s 4-3 victory at Bristol Rovers meant the Lions finished a point clear of the seventh placed Blues to leave McLaughlin frustrated at the final whistle.

“This is hard to take right now and we’re all gutted,” said the winger.

“We’re disappointed, not just with how it’s gone here but with the last few weeks as well.

“We’ve conceded goals from set plays in the last minute of matches which isn’t like us and it’s just frustrating to have come so close to being in the play-offs.”

To add to the Shrimpers’ frustrations, Millwall’s winning goal came five minutes from time.

But McLaughlin was also keen to look at the positive side of Blues’ season.

“We were in the bottom four after 12 games and everyone thought we were in for a relegation battle at that stage,” said the 26-year-old.

“To turn it round like we did after a start like that is a good achievement and, although we’re upset and hurt, we definitely have to take the positives from what’s happened.

“We’ve shown what we can do and if we had started the season well then we would have been going for automatic promotion.

“But we’ll have another go at it next season.

“Hopefully we can keep our top players, add a few more and be a real force to be reckoned with because I do think we can on to better things.”

And McLaughlin is keen to play a part in that happening.

The winger - who has been with Blues since April 2015 - has agreed to sign an extended three year contract at the club and is happy to be remaining at Roots Hall.

“I love this club and I’m really settled here,” said McLaughlin.

“My fiancé is happy here and loves the area too, so it’s great.

“The chairman likes me and what I bring to the team.

“He likes me as a person too so we got talking and came to an agreement which I’m happy about.”

And McLaughlin was also pleased to get back among the goals the Shakers.

The winger started the season in stunning form before picking up an ankle injury in late December which forced him to spend 10 weeks on the sidelines.

McLaughlin had failed to score in 10 games since making his comeback and was therefore delighted to hit the back of the net against Bury.

“I was pleased, on a personal level, to get the goal,” said McLaughlin.

“It was frustrating not to have scored sooner on my return from injury so it was a nice feeing to see it go in.

“I was hoping it was going to be enough to get us in the play-offs and at one point it did seem like that was going to be the case but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”