SOUTHEND United’s dreams of returning to Wembley were dashed by Millwall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Roots Hall tonight.

Blues would have been just a round away from heading back to the home of English football had they triumphed against the Lions in the southern section semi-final.

But goals from Steve Morison and Shaun Williams secured Millwall a 2-0 victory as manager Neil Harris tasted success against his former side.

Southend’s best spell of the game came early on and they came close to taking the lead in the 16th minute when a well struck 20 yard shot from David Worrall was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Lions goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

Moments later, Adam Barrett’s volley from a similar distance was also gathered by Archer during a lively start for the Shrimpers.

But the visitors soon began to work their way into the game with Lee Gregory racing onto a misplaced pass from Will Atkinson before seeing his effort well saved by Daniel Bentley.

However, Carlos Edwards quickly latched onto the loose ball and his right wing cross found Morison at the far post who netted with a neatly controlled volley which flew into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

After the break, the Lions came close to doubling their lead when Byron Webster saw a six yard shot cleared off the goal-line by Ryan Leonard.

But Blues soon hit back and came close to equalising when Worrall burst into the right hand side of the penalty area before firing a low shot inches wide of the left post.

Millwall immediately replied with Williams having a deflected 20 yard free-kick parried to safety by Bentley before Blues boss Phil Brown opted to make his first change of the night in the 58th minute with Joe Pigott coming on to replace Kevan Hurst.

But it was still the Lions who threatened next with George Saville flashing a 20 yard shot inches wide of the right post.

The visitors were not to be denied a second goal for long though and they doubled their lead in the 65th minute, with Williams on target.

The midfielder raced onto the ball 20 yards from goal and unleashed a low shot which Bentley could only parry into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Blues responded by making a second substitution as Glen Rea replaced John White with 73 minutes on the clock as they switched to playing three at the back.

However, Millwall soon came close to making it 3-0 as Bentley did well to deny both Saville and Gregory with a fine double save.

Archer was soon called into action at the other end of the field to keep out efforts from David Mooney and Jack Payne as Blues failed to find the back of the net for the second home game in succession.