SOUTHEND United’s failure to defend set pieces saw them slip to a 3-1 defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers tonight.

Blues conceded twice from corners against the Championship club.

And that meant their first home pre-season friendly of the summer ended in disappointment.

Rangers took the lead after just 10 minutes when Shaun Wright Phillips evaded Blues’ offside trap before delivering a low, deflected cross in to the path of Andy Johnson who fired home at the far post.

But the Shrimpers recovered well from the setback and equalised in the 23rd minute when Ryan Leonard’s long throw from the right hand side was headed past his own goalkeeper by Clint Hill.

Southend introduced trialist midfielder Conor Clifford and striker Don Cowan at half-time.

However, it was Rangers’ replacement Stephane Mbia who made an immediate impression as scored with his first touch, headed home a left winger corner from Junior Hoilett.

Southend hit back with Clifford having a 25 yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Robert Green before his opposite number, Daniel Bentley did well to push Hoilett’s curling shot around the right post.

Butm, from the resulting corner, QPR sealed their victory as Nedum Onuoha volleyed home Hoilett’s right wing cross from close range.

Blues: Bentley; White, Phillips (Bennett 83), Prosser, Coker; Laird (Payne 81), Atkinson (Clifford 46), Leonard, Straker (Cowan 46); Corr (Timlin 70), Eastwood (Njie 81)

Sub not used: Chambers