TWO goals in the space of three second half minutes saw Southend United slip to a 2-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic this afternoon.

Josh Magennis and Ricky Holmes netted in quick succession for the Addicks.

And, despite John White netting a header for the Shrimpers, Phil Brown’s side were unable to avoid their second League defeat of the season.

The setback made it nine games in a row without success for Southend against Charlton.

But it was Blues who threatened first with Michael Kightly scuffing an early right wing cross from Jermaine McGlashan wide of the right post before Ryan Leonard headed Kightly’s deflected left wing corner over the crossbar from close range.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Blues wasted an even clearer chance to score when Addicks goalkeeper Ben Amos stopped Patrick Bauer netting an own from Kightly’s left wing cross – only for the recalled Nile Ranger to volley wide of the left post from 14 yards when he should have done better.

Moments later, Addicks midfielder Ahmed Kashi saw his swerving long range shot parried to safety by Southend goalkeeper Mark Oxley The Shrimpers shot-stopper then easily gathered a close range header from Magennis before Billy Clarke sent a 39th minute shot inches wide of the right post from 20 yards.

At the start of the second period, Blues striker Simon Cox fired over from 20 yards before Charlton fought back with Jake Forster-Caskey sending an acrobatic volley straight at Oxley from close range In a bid to get back on top, Shrimpers boss Phil Brown made his first change of the afternoon in the 61st minute with Stephen McLaughlin coming on to replace Jermaine McGlashan.

But, just five minutes later, the home-side took the lead with Charlton captain Chris Solly delivering a right wing cross which Magennis headed home from close range.

And, just three minutes later, the Addicks doubled their lead as boyhood Blues fan Holmes cut in off the left flank and curled a 25 yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers responded with a double change as both Jason Demetriou and Theo Robinson entered the action in place of Stephen Hendrie and Cox.

And, with 78 minutes on the clock, the new look Blues got back in the game with John White heading home McLaughlin’s right wing corner.

Moments later, Ryan Leonard saw a goalbound effort blocked following a goalmouth scramble but Blues were unable to conjure up a late leveller as their winless streak extended to seven games.