SOUTHEND United slumped to a depressing 4-0 defeat at play-off pushing Plymouth Argyle this afternoon.

The setback – which was Chris Powell’s first as Shrimpers manager on the road – means Blues have still not triumphed at Home Park since 1999.

But their latest defeat came following a decisive 60 second period in the first half when Simon Cox wasted a golden chance to equalise just moments before Argyle doubled their lead.

Before then, Plymouth had started the brighter of the two sides and opened the scoring after just three minutes with Ruben Lameiras on target.

The Portugese midfielder was teed up by Ryan Taylor – who Blues felt was offside – and netted with a well taken left footed shot which flew into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 12 yards.

In reply, Shrimpers winger Stephen McLaughlin dragged a long range shot wide of the right post and, in the 27th minute, the visitors came even closer to drawing back level when a low volley from Anthony Wordsworth flew across the face of goal.

Six minutes came an even clearer chance for Blues when Dru Yearwood’s well struck 25 yard shot was parried out by Argyle goalkeeper Remi Matthews but the on-rushing Cox was unable to make the most of the rebound as he scuffed his shot from close range.

And, just seconds later, the wasted opportunity increased in significance, with Argyle doubling their lead when Graham Carey’s deflected 20 yard shot looped over the head of Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

The Shrimpers’ anger intensified on the stroke of half-time when Taylor was shown just a yellow card after appearing to elbow Michael Turner when attempting to win a header.

Seven minutes into the second half, Blues suffered a further blow with Carey netting his second goal of the afternoon to put the hosts 3-0 in front.

The attacking midfielder reacted sharply after the Shrimpers had failed to clear Oscar Threlkeld’s right wing cross and netted with well-taken half volley at the far post.

Blues boss Chris Powell soon responded with the first change of the afternoon as Michael Kightly replaced Marc-Antoine Fortune in a move which saw Wordsworth move into a number 10 role.

However, Plymouth remained on top with Carey having a 25 yard free-kick parried wide of the left post by Oxley and, in the 73rd minute, the midfielder wasted an even clearer chance to score when referee Brendan Malone pointed to the spot after John White had brought down Joel Grant.

But Carey was unable to make the most of the opportunity as his spot-kick clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over.

Relieved Shrimpers manager Powell soon made two changes in quick succession with both Josh Wright and Theo Robinson both entering the action.

But it was Plymouth who still threatened late on with Yann Songo’o firing wide of the right post from close range before the Pilgrims completed the scoring in the 88th minute when Lameiras tapped home after Oxley had denied Grant to seal a miserable afternoon for the Shrimpers.