SOUTHEND United’s stuttering form continued with a dismal 1-0 defeat to struggling Chesterfield at Roots Hall this afternoon.

David Worrall and Tyrone Barnett both wasted fine chances to score for the out of form Shrimpers.

And the missed opportunities came back to haunt Blues when Lee Novak bagged a last minute winner for the struggling Spireites.

Novak’s effort also made it just one triumph in six games for Southend.

But Phil Brown’s side came close to scoring after just two minutes when the recalled Worrall headed Ben Coker’s left wing cross against the inside of the right post before firing the rebound straight at visiting goalkeeper Tommy Lee from close range.

Moments later, Chesterfield hit back with Ollie Banks having a 25 yard shot parried to safety by safety by Daniel Bentley before Lee Novak fired straight at the Shrimpers’ custodian from long range.

Following the two slight scares and, with 28 minutes on the clock, Blues were forced into making a change as Worrall limped off injured and was replaced by Noel Hunt.

But the visitors remained on top and almost broke the deadlock when Novak’s close range header from Gboly Ariyibi’s right wing cross was smartly saved by Bentley.

Southend soon hit back with Anthony Wordsworth sending a 20 yard shot straight at Lee after good play from Jack Payne.

After the break, Payne fired wide of the left post after a short corner from Coker before Wordsworth headed a Coker free-kick wide of the left post from 12 yards.

The Shrimpers continued to push forward and, in the 62nd minute, they wasted a fine chance to score when Payne’s fine left wing cross picked out an unmarked Barnett.

However, the on loan Shrewsbury Town striker could only send his header straight at Lee when he should have done better.

In a further bid to make a breakthrough, Blues boss Phil Brown made a second change in the 66th minute as Sam McQueen replaced Will Atkinson in midfield.

A third substitution followed 10 minutes from time with David Mooney replacing Barnett up front and Mooney was soon screaming for a penalty when he went to ground while under pressure from Sam Hird.

But referee Darren Drysdale opted to wave play on and Chesterfield made the most of the let off late on when Banks played in Novak who fired a low, right footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.