SOUTHEND Saxons’ struggles continued with a 45-8 defeat against Tunbridge Wells at Warners Bridge.

The setback was Southend’s fifth in succession and kept them second from bottom in the London & SE Premier Division standings.

And Saxons’ head coach Josh Ward was left ruing his side’s slow start to the game.

“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb by conceding two early tries,” said Ward.

“When you’re on a run like we are you’re short of confidence and a start like that can have a devastating affect on morale.

“But the boys showed good character to still be in touch at half-time and when you’re going through a transition like we are you need to overcome these kind of hurdles.

“We’re looking at the bigger picture though and we will keep on battling until the end of the season.”

Fit-again winger Norbertas Radzevicius bagged Southend’s only try of Saturday’s game, but Saxons are now 18 points from safety with just five games to go.

Southend Saxons: Ramsey, Radzevicius, Griffiths, Vaughan, O’Brien, Navas, Sprangers, Briggs, Robinson, Bailey, Newton, Morrison, Shields, Read, Wagstaff.

Replacements: Forster-Knight, Maggiolo & Dobson