SOUTHEND United suffered a seventh League Cup first round exit in the space of 11 years after losing 1-0 to Championship newcomers Yeovil Town at Roots Hall tonight.

Blues battled hard against the Glovers but found it hard to create goalscoring chances.

And that meant Kevin Dawson’s well taken effort in the first half was enough to settle the tie in Yeovil’s favour.

The visitors registered the first shot of the evening on target when Sam Hoskins sent a low effort from 25 yards straight at Blues goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

But Blues soon hit back and, with 12 minutes on the clock, new signing Don Cowan headed the ball down in to the path of Craig Reid who turned neatly before sending a left footed shot just wide of the right post.

That started an improved period of play for the Shrimpers but Yeovil also continued to attack when possible and Bentley had to be alert in the 23rd minute when Luke Prosser’s attempted clearance struck Hoskins and rebounded in to his gloves.

Moments later, the lively Hoskins saw a powerful 14 yard shot parried out by Bentley before Glovers midfielder Joe Edwards sent a stunning long range volley just inches past the right post.

But Yeovil were not to be denied for long and bagged what proved to the be the only goal of the game in the 36th minute when Hoskins rolled the ball in to the right hand side of the penalty area where Dawson sent a fine side footed finish high in to the opposite corner of the South Stand net.

Blues could have equalised seven minutes later when John White’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Mark Phillips but Julian Bennett could only volley over the crossbar from eight yards.

At the start of the second half, Yeovil were back on top and almost doubled their lead when Hoskins charged forward and sent a well struck 20 yard shot inches wide of the right post.

Michael Ngoo, a former Southend youth team striker, then fired a low shot from the edge of penalty area straight at Bentley before the youngster turned Phillips and sent a left footed effort wide of the right post.

Blues boss Phil Brown responded by making his first substitution of the night in the 58th minute as Ryan Leonard came on to replace Jack Payne in midfield.

Two minutes, Barry Corr replaced Bennett who was forced to come off after clattering in to the advertising boards.

And, just moments after his introduction, Corr almost brought Southend back level when he curled a 20 yard free kick just wide of the right upright.

In reply, the lively Hoskins soon sent another low effort in to the grateful gloves of Bentley before Blues almost netted an equaliser right at the death when Phillips had a header tipped wide of the left post by Yeovil goalkeeper Marek Stech.