SOUTHEND Saxons centre Chris Vaughan was left ruing his side’s lack of discipline following their 38-29 defeat at Old Elthamians on Saturday.

Southend were shown two yellow cards in quick succession as they sunk to their third defeat of the National Two South season.

But Vaughan felt it was a game Saxons could have won.

“It was another game that we threw away really,” said the 26-year-old.

“We started the game really well and put a lot of pressure on them which led to them getting two yellow cards.

“We managed to score two tries in that period but then we got two yellow cards quite quickly and they really punished us, scoring 26 points I think.

“Our lack of discipline really killed us but at times we showed what a class side we can be.”

Vaughan handed Southend the lead with his fifth try of the season.

Captain Mark Billings soon also touched down to put Southend 10-0 in front after the hosts had been shown two yellow cards with James Cullen and Aaron Liffchak both in the sin bin.

But Old Elthamians were still able to hit back with Lee Nelmes scoring a try Thomas White converted before it was Southend’s turn to fall foul of the referee with Sam Fombo and Kris Chesney both being yellow carded for foul play.

With the hosts back to full strength they took advantage with two quick tries from Thomas Brown and Gavin O’Meara.

White added both conversions and, with O’Meara touching down again before half-time, Old Elthamians led 26-10 at the break.

At the start of the second period, Dutchman Krijn Twight hit back with a try for Southend which was converted by Brad Burr before the home-side got back on track with Fionn McLoughlin and White scoring tries.

But Saxons hit back late on with top try scorer Iain Meads scoring for the seventh time this season before the visitors were also awarded a penalty try.

Burr added the conversion but it was too little too late as Southend slipped to ninth in the table.

Southend: Meads, Billings, Ashton, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Daly, Bailey, Grier, Bevans-Royston, Smith, Chesney, Fombo, Hudson, Twight

Replacements: Strachan, Fardell, Morrison, Driver & Hoadley