SOUTHEND United headed into Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Crawley Town having previously suffered four first round exits in succession.

And you sense Blues may never have had a better opportunity to improve that wretched record.

Chris Powell’s side began the tie brightly at Roots Hall and created five chances in the opening nine minutes alone.

Simon Cox failed to take two excellent opportunities coming his way before Michael Kightly put the Shrimpers in front with a neatly taken effort.

At this stage, Crawley – who had been beaten 5-1 and 4-0 in their previous outings – were firmly on the ropes and very much looked liked a mid-table League Two side yet to win away from home since the appointment of Gabriele Cioffi as manager at the start of September.

Blues continued to waste opportunities coming their way with Stephen McLaughlin, Theo Robinson and Cox again all failing to hit the back of the net from promising positions.

But, despite being in complete control and on the front foot, the Shrimpers seemed to ease off midway through the second half and appeared to have settled for a 1-0 win in a bid to see things out.

Powell refuted suggestions his side had sat back in his after-match interview but it did appear Blues began to drop deeper and, in doing so, allowed Crawley to work their way back into the game.

The Shrimpers boss altered the formation with a double substitution midway through the second half which saw Cox lining up as a lone striker.

Cox had an off day in front of goal at the weekend but he remains an intelligent performer who also has the ability to bring others into play as was shown by his pass for Kightly’s goal.

But the striker does not really possess the physical attributes needed to pose problems on his own in attack.

In stark contrast, Crawley’s lone striker Ollie Palmer caused Blues’ back four all kinds of problems with his aggressive style of play.

And, with the Shrimpers seemingly adopting a more negative approach, Crawley started to grow in confidence and an equaliser started to look inevitable.

As a result, Panutche Camara was denied by Blues goalkeeper Mark Oxley from close range before Joe McNerney headed against the crossbar.

But Crawley were not to be denied and, in the 85th minute, their persistence paid off as John White diverted Filipe Morais’ left wing cross into his own net.

And, in doing so, it continued two frustrating trends for the Shrimpers’ season.

Time and time again Blues have failed to kill off teams when territorially on top while the number of late goals conceded is becoming a serious concern.

Last weekend the Shrimpers missed out on a hard-earned point at high-flying Barnsley due to an 87th minute goal and five times already this season they have been hurt by opposing sides hitting the back of the net in the final five minutes.

Now that may be down to concentration, a lack of fitness or inviting pressure back onto themselves but somehow or other Blues must find a way of making sure it stops or far more pain lies in store.

Of course, the injury situation is not helping the Shrimpers’ cause but that cannot change and Blues must battle on with what is still at their disposal.

And the first half on Saturday and at Barnsley shows those still available have enough about them to succeed.

What won’t help Blues’ cause though is the cup replay which means their depleted squad must now play five games in the space of just 14 days.

The Shrimpers will be hoping that the hectic schedule can result in them quickly rediscovering some momentum after a run of just one win in their last five games.

But Blues will need to attack the situation because, as Saturday showed, they are very much at their best when on the front foot.