SOUTHEND United slumped to a third successive League defeat this afternoon, losing 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town.

The Shrimpers had been hoping to capitalise on the Shrews’ winless start to the season.

But first half goals from Greg Docherty and Lee Angol saw Town boss John Askey secure his first League victory in charge of the club.

Blues were angered early on when Luke Waterfall appeared to pull down Tom Hopper when the striker was heading through on goal, only for referee Christopher Sarginson to wave play on after originally putting the whistle in his mouth.

However, the Shrimpers’ frustrations soon increased even further with the Shrews opening the scoring after just five minutes, with Docherty on target.

The midfielder was picked out by Alex Gilliead’s left wing cross and thundered a powerful effort into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Moments later, Shrews midfielder Shaun Whalley sent a deflected effort wide of the right post before Angol’s close range header was saved by Shrimpers’ loanee goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Angol then also forced Stockdale into action with a low effort from the edge of the penalty area before Blues hit back and registered their first shot on target in the 26th minute with Simon Cox having a 20 yard effort smothered by Shrews goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The home-side’s custodian then claimed Timothee Dieng’s close range header after Taylor Moore had nodded down Stephen McLaughlin’s right wing corner before Simon Cox saw his effort blocked by Coleman after McLaughlin’s right wing cross had been deflected into his path.

With the Shrimpers continuing to push for an equaliser, Hopper then headed Demetriou’s right wing cross inches wide of the right post.

But, after failing to take the chances coming their way, Blues went further behind on the stroke of half-time when Chris Powell’s side were again undone by a set piece as Gilliead’s left wing corner fell to Lee Angol who volleyed home from close range.

After the break, Shaun Whalley saw his goalbound effort blocked by Moore before the hosts came even closer to extending their lead when Stockdale superbly kept out a close range header from an unmarked Angol.

In a bid to get his side going, Powell made his first change of the afternoon on the hour mark with Theo Robinson replacing McLaughlin before a second change followed in the 80th minute as Shawn McCoulsky took the place of Cox in attack.

However, Blues fail to threaten in the closing stages as their poor run of results continued as they slipped to 18th in the League One standings.