SOUTHEND United crashed to a fifth successive first round exit in the Capital One Cup tonight as they sunk to an undeserved 1-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Roots Hall.

Blues enjoyed sustained spells of pressure against the Seagulls.

But Phil Brown’s side were unable to convert the chances coming their way before they were cruelly undone by an injury time winner from visiting Kazenga Lua Lua.

After an even start to the contest, Brighton had earlier come close to taking the lead when a well struck free-kick from Danny Holla was tipped wide of his near post by Shrimpers goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

In reply, a left wing cross-shot from Blues’ David Worrall flew across the face of goal before the home-side were left furious at referee Christopher Kavanagh when he opted to wave play on after Ryan Leonard went to ground when attempting to reach Michael Timlin’s through ball just outside the penalty area.

Moments later, Noel Hunt headed Worrall’s left wing cross wide of the right post in the closing action of a mostly uneventful first 45 minutes.

After the break, Blues again threatened to break the deadlock when a fine move resulted in John White delivering a chipped right wing cross which Ryan Leonard headed wide of the left post from close range.

The Shrimpers remained on top after the opportunity and began to enjoy the majority of the possession.

But, with 67 minutes on the clock, the visitors almost broke the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances when Lua Lua’s powerful low, left wing cross struck Ben Coker before bobbling just wide of the right post.

Shortly after the slight scare, Southend made their first change of the night with David Mooney replacing Noel Hunt in attack and a second substitution followed in the 75th minute with Myles Weston coming on for Joe Pigott.

Weston almost made an impression when his well struck 16 yard shot was smartly smothered by Brighton goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa.

In a further bid to make a breakthrough, Blues boss Brown made his third change of the night in the 80th minute with Anthony Wordsworth coming on for Gary Deegan in the centre of the park.

And Wordsworth almost bagged a stunning late winner in the 87th minute when his superbly struck 20 yard shot, from a half cleared Leonard throw, was brilliantly tipped wide of the right post by Maenpaa.

But, having survived the scare, Brighton hit back to grab an injury time winner when Holla’s precision through ball enabled Lua Lua to race in behind White before beating the on-rushing Bentley with a clinical finish to secure a second round slot for the Seagulls.