PREMIER DIVISION: Southend & EMT skipper Joe Robbins was left feeling frustrated following his side’s 88 run defeat to Hornchurch.

The setback means third-from-bottom Southend are now level on points with Colchester & East Essex, who sit immediately below them in the standings.

And Robbins remains disappointed not to have won.

“It’s a really disappointing defeat for us and is probably the most frustrating of the season for me,” said Robbins.

“We allowed them to get 60 runs too many.

“We dropped three or four pretty basic chances and the batsmen went on to punish us.

“You simply can’t afford to do that at this level but, having said that, the pitch was flat, and the outfield was very quick, so it was definitely chaseable but again we gave away far too many soft dismissals.

“We aren’t making the opposition work hard enough to get us out and that, for me, is extremely disappointing.

“I know the lads will be disappointed as well as we’ve got a lot of talent in this team but we just aren’t showing it on a regular basis.”

Hornchurch scored 305/6 in their innings before Southend were dismissed for 217 in reply.

But Robbins - who top scored with 76 not out - is now keen to see an immediate reaction from his side.

“We’ve got three games left and it’s up to us how much we want to stay up,” said Robbins.

“We have three tough sides and realistically probably need two wins as Colchester have hit some form. It will be tough but there’s no reason why we can’t do it.”