PROP-FORWARD Jason Fardell bagged his first ever National League try at the weekend but it was not enough to stop Southend Saxons suffering a disappointing 32-14 defeat against fellow strugglers Shelford.

The Canvey based Fardell touched down on the stroke of half-time as Saxons attempted to get back in to the game.

But the final result meant the 25-year-old was still left frustrated at the final whistle.

“I was buzzing at the time to get the try and it’s great to have got my first one for the club but we lost the game so it was a disappointing day,” said Fardell, who joined Southend from Canvey Island three seasons ago.

“I just didn’t think our heads were screwed on properly if I’m being honest and our heads went down far too easily in the second half as well.”

The defeat was Southend’s third in their last four games and saw them drop back down in to the relegation zone.

However, Fardell remains confident Saxons can work their way back up the table after Christmas.

“We have a good team, with good players and we have real physicality too,” said the prop.

“We just need to get our heads right and I’m sure we will do that when we start playing again after Christmas.

“And I’m sure we will move up the league as well.”

But Southend will need to improve vastly on their below par display against Shelford, who started the afternoon second from bottom in the National Two South standings.

The visitors went in front when scrum half Charlie Baker touched down after just 10 minutes and Stephen Smith added the conversion.

Saxons soon replied with Aston Bevans-Royston charging through to score and Brad Burr’s subsequent conversion levelled the scores.

Shelford regained the lead with Smith kicking a penalty before Jason Billows went through to score and Smith’s conversion put the visitors 17-7 in front.

However, Southend replied right on the stroke of half-time with Fardell scoring and Burr adding the extras to cut Shelford’s lead to just three points.

The momentum now seemed to be with the home-side but they failed to impress in the second half and made far too many basic errors to be able to take the lead.

As a result, Shelford’s were able to race ahead and further tries from Gerhard Wessels and Baker, along with another penalty and conversion from Smith, was enough to secure victory for the visitors.

Southend: Coleman, Billings, Ashton, Vaughan, Driver, Burr, Powell, Fardell, Bloomberg, Bevans-Royston, Chesney, Fombo, Hudson, Kellard, Hudson

Replacements: Day-White, Ferrier, Jackson, Bennett & Pollard