TWO Shawn McClousky goals in the space of six second half minutes saw Southend United suffer a shock 2-0 defeat against Newport County in the first round of the Carabao Cup last night.

The Shrimpers had been hoping to build on their opening day success against Blackburn Rovers.

But Phil Brown’s side produced a below par showing at Roots Hall as they sunk to their seventh first round League Cup exit in succession.

After a quiet start to the game, Newport came close to opening the scoring in the 15th minute when Tom Owen-Evans curled a 20 yard shot inches over the crossbar.

Blues – who made five changes to their starting line-up - hit back with Stephen McLaughlin having a low shot deflected wide of the right post.

But, after surviving the scare, the visitors hit back and wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock on the half hour mark with an unmarked McClousky nodding Robbie Willmott’s right wing cross over the South Stand goal from just eight yards.

In reply, Shrimpers striker Simon Cox headed Theo Robinson’s right wing cross straight at Newport goalkeeper Joe Day and the home-side came even closer to scoring in the 43rd minute when Stephen Hendrie’s low left foot shot struck the outside of the right post.

Moments later, Dru Yearwood – who was making his first senior start – saw a low 20 yard shot smothered by Day before the Newport goalkeeper also collected a deflected Cox effort at the start of the second half.

Day then collected a curling, 25 yard free-kick from Cox before Newport broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Willmott beat Blues goalkeeper Ted Smith to a long pass forward enabling Shawn McClousky to slide the ball into a gaping goal.

And six minutes later McClousky was celebrating again as he tapped Owen-Evans’ right wing cross into an empty net from six yards.

Blues boss Phil Brown responded with a double change which saw Amadou Ba enter the action for his debut in place of Jermaine McGlashan and Marc-Antoine Fortune replace Cox in attack.

Newport soon made an alteration of their own with ex Blues striker Frank Nouble replacing Lemar Reynolds and Nouble was immediately involved as his low right wing cross led to Owen-Evans firing inches wide of the left post.

With play then switching back to the other end of the field, Yearwood saw a swerving 30 yard shot parried to safety by Day in the closing action of a frustrating and disappointing night for Blues.