SOUTHEND United slumped to a frustrating 3-0 defeat at Sunderland this afternoon.

Blues failed to convert the clear chances coming their way with Simon Cox and Sam Mantom both wasteful in front of goal.

And, to add to their anguish, the Shrimpers were also denied a clear cut penalty and saw left-back Ben Coker carried off with what appeared to be a serious injury.

With two minutes on the clock, Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley did extremely well to divert Jerome Sinclair’s header to safety.

But, in the 21st minute, the Shrimpers suffered what appeared to be another serious injury setback with Coker being stretchered off.

The left-back screamed in agony as he fell to the floor when attempting to bring the ball under control and, after a lengthy spell of treatment, he was replaced by Stephen Hendrie.

Eight minutes later, the Black Cats opened the scoring with a move down the Shrimpers left which led to Lynden Gooch’s delivering a right wing cross which captain George Honeyman headed into the back of the net via the inside of the left post.

Blues reacted well to going behind with Jason Demetriou teeing up Cox only for the striker to delay his effort at the goal.

And, just moments later, Cox fired over from 12 yards after Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin had parried out an effort from Harry Bunn.

The Shrimpers then had strong shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Rob Lewis despite Tom Flanagan flying into a challenge on Dru Yearwood and getting nowhere near the ball.

To add to Southend’s frustrations, Sunderland then doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half when Chris Maguire latched onto a loose pass out from the back and surged forward being sending a stunning long range shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

However, Blues continued to look dangerous and came close to getting back into the game when Sam Mantom’s header from Hendrie’s left wing cross was saved by the legs of McLaughlin before Cox’s follow up effort was also blocked.

In a further bid to get back into the game, Shawn McCoulsky replaced Stephen McLaughlin and soon saw an angled effort saved by Black Cats’ goalkeeper McLaughlin.

Michael Kightly then also replaced Yearwood but it was the hosts who still struck next – in the 80th minute - as Aiden McGeady sent a powerful left footed shot into the right hand side of the net