SOUTHEND United suffered their first defeat of pre-season last night as Premier League Fulham recorded a 2-0 win at Roots Hall.

Two goals in as many second half minutes from Erik Nevland and Danny Murphy secured victory for the Londoners.

But Blues boss Steve Tilson was still pleased with the work-out for his side ahead of the new League One campaign.

“It was a real step up in the standard of opposition we were playing, but I thought we played some good stuff, especially in the first half,” he said.

“We tried out one of two things and it was certainly a worthwhile exercise.”

A crowd of 3,140 saw Southend enjoy the better of the first half with the lively Damian Scanell firing over a left-foot shot from 20 yards after just seven minutes.

Lee Barnard was then denied by the legs of David Stockdale and on the stroke of half-time Nicky Bailey, who was facing his former side, also forced the keeper into action as he pushed his close-range shot to safety following an impressive burst into the box from the midfielder.

But after the break the Londoners began to work their way into game with Nevland striking the crossbar just two minutes into the second half.

The former Manchester United forward was not to be denied though and, in the 59th minute, he headed home from 12 yards after new Shrimpers shot-stopper Steve Mildenhall misjduged a high, looping left-wing cross from Steve Davies.

Two minutes later, Roy Hodgson’s men doubled their lead as Murphy blasted a low right-foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Blues attempted to get back into the game but a header from Adam Barrett, which thundered against the left post, was the closest they came to scoring.

Southend: Mildenhall (Joyce 74), Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Sankofa (Herd 46), Moussa, McCormack, Bailey, Scannell (Furlong 46), Walker, Barnard Subs not used: O’Keefe, Jones, Lokando and Ademeno Fulham: Stockdale, Volz, Konchesky (Kallio 46), Hangeland (Hughes 46), Healey, Nevland, Davis (Cook 65), Bullard (Murphy 46), Davies (Gera 46), Andreasen (Andranik 46), Baird >BLUES are back in action at Witham Town tonight, kick-off 7.45pm Southend will field a young starting line-up, but transfer-listed striker Matt Harrold could feature.

“It will be another chance for players to get a game under their belts which is what we need at this stage of the season,” said manager Steve Tilson.

Forward Alex Revell will again be absent with a groin problem.

>SHRIMPERS transfer target Charlie Mulgrew has joined Aberdeen on a two-year deal.

The left back ended last season on loan at Roots Hall and was known to be a target for manager Steve Tilson this summer.